Trafficking in Persons Report - Philippines
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Trafficking in Persons Report
Released by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
June 14, 2004
IV. Country Narratives:
East Asia and Pacific
THE PHILIPPINES (TIER
2 - WATCH LIST)
The Philippines is a
source, transit, and destination country for persons trafficked for the
purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. There is internal
trafficking from rural to urban metropolitan areas. Filipino women who
are trafficked for sexual exploitation to destinations throughout Asia,
the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America, are often lured
abroad with false promises of legitimate employment. The Philippines is
a transit point and destination for victims from the People¹s Republic
of China (PRC). The sexual exploitation of children within the country
is also a growing concern. Endemic poverty, a high unemployment rate, a
cultural propensity towards migration, a weak rule-of-law environment,
and sex tourism all contribute to significant trafficking activity in
the Philippines.
The Government of the
Philippines does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the
elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to
do so. The Philippines is placed on Tier 2 Watch List due to the
government¹s failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat
severe forms of trafficking, particularly in terms of its weak
implementation of the anti-trafficking law and a lack of progress in law
enforcement. The government recognizes that trafficking is a problem and
has been engaged internationally to combat it. Despite limited
resources, the government supports several programs in the areas of
prevention and protection. In 2003, the government passed
anti-trafficking legislation that protects women and children from
sexual exploitation and forced labor. The Philippine government should
take immediate corrective action through the prosecution of traffickers,
aggressive implementation of the new law, and the arrest and prosecution
of officials involved in trafficking.
Prosecution
Anti-trafficking law
enforcement efforts in the Philippines remained weak in 2003. The
government enacted a comprehensive anti-trafficking law in May 2003 that
imposes harsh penalties against traffickers and clients. However, there
has been no improvement in the government's enforcement efforts. The
government has investigated cases of traffickingrelated offenses but
prosecuted only three trafficking cases under the new anti-trafficking
law. Government sources report two convictions for trafficking-related
offenses under other laws, resulting in sentences ranging from time
served to life in prison. The paltry number of prosecutions and
convictions is a serious shortcoming and available data on prosecutions
is also incomplete. Corruption and a weak judiciary remain serious
impediments to the effective prosecution of traffickers.
Protection
In 2003, the government
continued to sponsor adequate protection efforts for trafficking
victims. Under the 2003 anti-trafficking law, the government recognizes
trafficked persons as victims and does not penalize them. The government
provides a range of protective services, including temporary residency
status, relief from deportation, shelter, and access to legal, medical,
and counseling services. The government in 2003 also devoted
anti-trafficking resources to protect overseas Filipino workers. The
Philippine government trains law enforcement officials and consular
officials in all of its embassies to deal with trafficking victims.
Prevention
Fourteen government
agencies coordinate the government¹s anti-trafficking efforts, much of
which is prevention-oriented. In 2003, the government reported a decline
in illegal recruitment and recruitment violations due to an intensified
information campaign on overseas employment. Government offices conduct
information campaigns on child labor and sexual exploitation for the
hotel and tourism industries.
SEE FULL REPORT AT
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/33191.htm
