Source: Sun.Star
Sunday, November 11, 2012
JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima said Sunday the fight against human
trafficking continues despite the unflattering assessment of the
government's performance by a United Nations expert last week.
trafficking continues despite the unflattering assessment of the
government's performance by a United Nations expert last week.
UN special rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons Joy Ngozi Ezeilo
earlier told a pess conference that the problem has not declined,
echoing the 2012 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report of the US
Department of State last June, which noted that corruption at all
levels continues to undermine efforts to combat
trafficking, although it is making significant efforts to do so.
earlier told a pess conference that the problem has not declined,
echoing the 2012 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report of the US
Department of State last June, which noted that corruption at all
levels continues to undermine efforts to combat
trafficking, although it is making significant efforts to do so.
Ezeilo was in the country for a five-day fact-finding mission
in the country to personally assess the local situation and the
implementation of the government's anti-trafficking measures.
in the country to personally assess the local situation and the
implementation of the government's anti-trafficking measures.
In its 2012 TIP report, the US said that the Philippines’
efforts to totally eliminate human trafficking falls short of
expectations, closely putting in jeopardy the $250-million
financial assistance to be given to the government, pursuant to
the US’ Trafficking Victims’ Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000.
efforts to totally eliminate human trafficking falls short of
expectations, closely putting in jeopardy the $250-million
financial assistance to be given to the government, pursuant to
the US’ Trafficking Victims’ Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000.
Tier 2 countries are those whose governments have yet to fully
comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
severe forms of trafficking as provided by the TVPA, but are making
significant efforts to bring themselves at par with those standards.
comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
severe forms of trafficking as provided by the TVPA, but are making
significant efforts to bring themselves at par with those standards.
Ezeilo said during her meeting with de Lima on Friday
that the Philippines is "undoubtedly a source country for human
trafficking," but that the problem is far from being licked.
that the Philippines is "undoubtedly a source country for human
trafficking," but that the problem is far from being licked.
De Lima acknowledged Ezeilo's assessment but said that
the government, through the Department of Justice as lead
agency against trafficking, has been making progress in terms of
prosecution and conviction of human smugglers.
the government, through the Department of Justice as lead
agency against trafficking, has been making progress in terms of
prosecution and conviction of human smugglers.
As chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
(IACAT), de Lima said measures and additional reforms are
already in place to improve prevention efforts by attached
agencies such as law enforcement and the Bureau of Immigration.
(IACAT), de Lima said measures and additional reforms are
already in place to improve prevention efforts by attached
agencies such as law enforcement and the Bureau of Immigration.
“We believe that through partnership and political will, and
through the lessons that we have shared through this mission,
we are assured of our eventual victory against human trafficking
in a world where the inalienable rights and transcendent dignity
of every human being is guaranteed by both State and society,” she said.
through the lessons that we have shared through this mission,
we are assured of our eventual victory against human trafficking
in a world where the inalienable rights and transcendent dignity
of every human being is guaranteed by both State and society,” she said.
She said that since 2011, the agents of the BI have undertaken
the strict inspection of travel, employment, and financial documents
of outgoing passengers in airports and seaports to identify and protect
trafficking victims in transit, while duly respecting their constitutional
and human rights.
the strict inspection of travel, employment, and financial documents
of outgoing passengers in airports and seaports to identify and protect
trafficking victims in transit, while duly respecting their constitutional
and human rights.
De Lima further said that a total of 736 persons victimized
by trafficking syndicates were rescued from April 2011 to September
2012 at the Ninoy Aquino International irport (NAIA) alone.
by trafficking syndicates were rescued from April 2011 to September
2012 at the Ninoy Aquino International irport (NAIA) alone.
To supplement its efforts, IACAT has also implemented a wide-ranging
public education campaign to inform vulnerable sectors of the dangers of
human trafficking, most notably through the use of strategically placed
television consoles that carry infomercials, discussions, and
documentaries on trafficking in persons, she added.
public education campaign to inform vulnerable sectors of the dangers of
human trafficking, most notably through the use of strategically placed
television consoles that carry infomercials, discussions, and
documentaries on trafficking in persons, she added.
“We are also continuing to expand our cooperation with foreign
governments, and IACAT has forged strong partnerships with
the Global
Alliance for the Protection of ildren Online and the Microsoft Digital
Crimes Unit to protect minor victims of exploitation," she said.
governments, and IACAT has forged strong partnerships with
the Global
Alliance for the Protection of ildren Online and the Microsoft Digital
Crimes Unit to protect minor victims of exploitation," she said.
Last October 30, she said that IACAT conducted a joint operation
with the Kingdom of Netherlands against a group suspected of committing
transnational trafficking and other crimes in Amsterdam and Manila for the
purpose of labor exploitation.
with the Kingdom of Netherlands against a group suspected of committing
transnational trafficking and other crimes in Amsterdam and Manila for the
purpose of labor exploitation.
In the prosecution aspect, about 100 persons have been convicted
for violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), 70
of which were secured by DOJ under the Aquino administration.
for violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), 70
of which were secured by DOJ under the Aquino administration.
"The Philippines is unreservedly committed to combating
and eradicating trafficking in persons, which is rightly condemned
by the law of nations and the conscience of humanity. The programs we are
now undertaking form only the spearhead of the ever-expanding scope of
our campaign," she said.
and eradicating trafficking in persons, which is rightly condemned
by the law of nations and the conscience of humanity. The programs we are
now undertaking form only the spearhead of the ever-expanding scope of
our campaign," she said.
She, however, admitted there are still challenges facing the
campaign against human trafficking in the country, citing the IACAT
Secretariat's monitoring, which reported a total of 1,693 cases still pending
in the trial court and in the DOJ, of which 364 were filed just last year.
campaign against human trafficking in the country, citing the IACAT
Secretariat's monitoring, which reported a total of 1,693 cases still pending
in the trial court and in the DOJ, of which 364 were filed just last year.
On Monday, representatives of both houses of Congress will
be convening a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the two
versions of the bills amending Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking
in Persons Act.
be convening a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the two
versions of the bills amending Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking
in Persons Act.
“There are major amendments which we seek to introduce
into the original law, including new provisions on attempted trafficking
to strengthen prosecution of pre-empted acts of trafficking; protection to
trafficked victims; accomplice liability; protection to trafficked victims in
various stages of the investigation and prosecution process; a permanent
Secretariat to the country’s anti-trafficking efforts, among others, as well
as stronger penalty provisions,” said Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of
Senate Bill 2625 or the proposed Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012.
into the original law, including new provisions on attempted trafficking
to strengthen prosecution of pre-empted acts of trafficking; protection to
trafficked victims; accomplice liability; protection to trafficked victims in
various stages of the investigation and prosecution process; a permanent
Secretariat to the country’s anti-trafficking efforts, among others, as well
as stronger penalty provisions,” said Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of
Senate Bill 2625 or the proposed Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012.
Legarda is hoping that Congress will pass the measure before December
12, the day of awareness and vigilance for the victims of human trafficking.
(JCV/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
12, the day of awareness and vigilance for the victims of human trafficking.
(JCV/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
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