CLARK FREEPORT – The U.S. State Department’s Global Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report has again classified the Philippines under Tier 1 for government efforts against human trafficking, making the country the only one in Southeast Asia to be ranked highest for two consecutive years.
Justice Assistant Secretary Julie Ramirez Manwong, who handles traffcking concerns in the Department of Justice, noted in a forum of the Capampangan in Media (CAMI) here Friday that “this is the second time that we have been classified under Tier 1. We are the only Southeast Asian nation to be on Tier 1, meaning we are highest in ranking in efforts to combat human trafficking.”
The TIP Report classifies each country under one of three tiers based on the extent of their governments’ efforts to comply with the “minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking” found in the United States Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).
“We have very good laws dating back to 2001 and expanded in 2012 to address prosecutorial and transnational aspects of the crime (of human trafficking),” she said.
Manwong said the TIP considered 187 countries and classified 30 countries under Tier 1, with the Philippinesbeing the only country in Southeast Asia with the highest ranking.
She admitted, however, that much still has to be done against human trafficking in the country, noting that labor and sex-oriented human trafficking remain top concerns.
The Philippines wasfirst classified under TIP’s Tier 1 last year, soon after Pres. Duterte ascended to Malacanang. The country had been ranked under Tier II for the previous five years.
The Philippines was initially cited by TIP for the conviction of 42 traffickers, including five for online child sex trafficking and two for labor trafficking, as well as the conviction of two immigration officers and charging of five officials tagged to have had links with traffickers. TIP also cited the government’s increased efforts to prevent trafficking of migrant workers, provision of TIP training for government officials, and prosecution of eight cases against foreign child molesters.
