Tier 1 status proof of PH’s proactive stance vs. trafficking

MANILA -- The Philippines staying in Tier 1 status at the United States Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, as well as its initiatives against the issue, show that the government is "proactive in fighting human trafficking," an executive of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said Tuesday.

In a situational report, Assistant City Prosecutor Rey Inciong,  head of the Warrant Task Force of the Justice Department-led IACAT, admitted that the Philippines is vulnerable to human trafficking as its poorest are often lured with promises of jobs and money abroad.

Despite this, the government's response against the crime is "one of the best," he said. "In Southeast Asia, there is only one Tier 1 country -- the Philippines," Inciong said.

The retained ranking, revealed in July 2018, indicates that the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

From 2005 to November 2018, Inciong revealed that 416 persons were convicted over trafficking in the Philippines.

Inciong said the IACAT 1343 Action Line is also active, which already assisted 549 victims from the 599 reports it recorded from 2011 to October 2018.

In terms of actions against TIP, the country bested its neighboring developed nations such as South Korea and Japan, said Inciong.

"Not even Japan is in Tier 1, that's why they come to us for training. They look up to us when it comes to fighting TIP, and this is an achievement," he said.

On protection, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration, he reported that DSWD, an IACAT member agency, operates 44 residential care facilities all over the country for victims of abuse, including 24 children, 13 women, one male, and four senior citizens who were victims of human trafficking.

Among others, the government also accredits and supports shelters operated by non-government organizations.

According to IACAT, factors that make Filipinos vulnerable to human trafficking are economic situation, lack of information, and culture of migration and existing migration networks, among others.

While there is concerted efforts among IACAT member agencies to curb TIP, Inciong said "the best way to spot human trafficking is still through education and training" at community level as TIP is not only a transnational crime but also a "grassroots problem." (PNA)