US praises Philippines for progress in addressing human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has made significant strides in addressing human trafficking, the United States said as it praised Manila’s efforts to carry out measures to stop sex trade, forced labor and illegal recruitment of Filipinos.

In its 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report launched in Washington on Monday, the US State Department lauded the government of President Benigno Aquino III for “demonstrating increased law enforcement efforts,” producing several convictions of human traffickers and taking steps to expedite prosecutions.

“The US government recognized the efforts of the Government of the Philippines to bring justice to victims and expedite prosecutions,” a US Embassy statement said, citing the conviction of 54 traffickers, which was an increase from 31 the previous year.

Manila has remained in the Tier 2 category of states that has made progress in addressing human trafficking for the last five years.

In 2010, it was upgraded to Tier 2 from “Tier 2 Watchlist” classification or a blacklist of states that showed minimal efforts in tackling the problem.

The report took note of the “strong efforts” by the government to provide anti-trafficking training to local authorities, with a particular focus on disaster-stricken regions.

“In an effort to prevent trafficking of migrant workers, authorities conducted training and awareness campaigns for government officials, prospective employees, and the general public,” the report said.

Officials, it added, proactively identified victims exploited within the country.

“The government continued robust efforts to prevent trafficking,” the report said as government anti-trafficking task forces continued to implement a national strategic plan to combat trafficking.

The State Department also lauded the government’s anti-trafficking campaign through social media, television, and other platforms.

It cited the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency’s investigation of 129 cases involving 289 victims of illegal recruitment and the closing down of 11 non-licensed establishments.

The Bureau of Immigration, it added, continued to screen for potential victims at airports and seaports.

In an effort to prevent child sex tourism, the governmentfiled 17 charges against 13 foreign child sex offenders during the reporting year.

In 2014, the government also assisted 22 children involved in armed conflict, it added.

The US Embassy said it was committed to working with the Philippine government and its people to prevent trafficking activities in the country, to prosecute perpetrators, and to protect victims.

“We recognize the government of the Philippines’ progress on trafficking in persons and we look forward to continuing our close cooperation to tackle this regional and global issue,” it said.

Despite the improvements, the State Department said some challenges remained.

Although the Philippines made “significant efforts” to combat the scourge, it said the country “has not yet fully complied with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.”

It said the government should increase its efforts to hold government officials administratively and criminally accountable for trafficking and trafficking-related offenses through criminal prosecutions, convictions, and stringent sentences.

The State Department also recommended fast-tracking prosecutions of trafficking cases, reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, and increase the availability of shelter and protection resources for trafficking victims.