Palace: PH trying its best to convict human traffickers

MANILA, Philippines – Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Saturday, June 21, that the Philippine government is doing its part to fight human trafficking. This, in the wake of a US report challenging the country to convict more human traffickers. 

In a radio interview on DZRB, Valte said the number of convictions involving trafficking cases actually rose from 25 in the 2013 report to 32 in 2014. The year has not even ended.

“Of course, we want to continually strengthen our efforts to lessen the number of women, children and men being victimized by trafficking. We also want to convict more traffickers so they pay for their crimes,” Valte said.

On Friday, June 20, the US gave the Philippines a Tier 2 rating for the fourth straight year in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. The rating is given to countries whose governments “do not fully comply” with the Trafficking Victim Protection Act’s minimum standards, “but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with its standards.”

Tier 2 status ‘not bad’

Instead of looking at it negatively, Valte said the report actually highlighted the government’s positive steps to maintain its Tier 2 status. 

The TIP cited the following gains in giving the Tier 2 rating:

• The government “nearly doubled” its funding for the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to around $2.4 million in 2013 and “continued efforts to implement” anti-trafficking laws and policies
• It “undertook notable efforts” to prevent the trafficking of migrant workers
• It “obtained 31 trafficking convictions”

Valte said the government agencies involved in curbing human trafficking deserve a “pat on the back.”

“IACAT took many positive steps to help maintain our Tier 2 status. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also deserves to be lauded because they assigned many prosecutors to handle and fast track the prosecution of trafficking offenders,” Valte added. 

According to the TIP, around 20 to 27 million people are believed to live in slavery around the world.

‘Speed up trials’

Valte admitted, however, that there is a need for faster processes in the judiciary.

“We continually encourage our counterpart in the judiciary to cut down on the lengthy trial processes so that witnesses don’t have to wait too long. The executive department supports the judiciary to hasten trials,” she said.

Valte added that the government is doing its best to prosecute trafficking violators. “The executive handles the prosecutions and our track record there is constantly improving.”

The TIP did not state whether the Philippines needs to increase the penalty on human trafficking. “It will be up to our legislators if they want to charge heavier penalty for trafficking,” Valte said. 

Labor trafficking, corruption

According to the TIP, a basis for granting aid, there were no convictions in labor trafficking from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. Corruption in the country also worsens trafficking, according to the report.

“Corruption at all levels of government, including Philippine diplomatic missions abroad, enabled traffickers and undermined the government’s overall efforts to combat trafficking,” it said.

Oversease Filipino Workers (OFWs) are among the worst victims of human trafficking. But Valte said the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) has been implementing necessary guidelines to protect OFWs.

“We arm OFWs with key information through pre-employment orientation seminars before they leave. The Commission on Filipino Overseas are also holding targeted counselling for 24 provinces to groups considered at risk of trafficking,” Valte said.

The POEA, according to Valte, is also investigating unlawful practices of recruitment agencies. In 2013, the office revoked the license of 294 agencies, suspended the operations of 109 companies, and closed down 8 agencies for illegal practices.

The government also filed administrative charges against 101 employees of the Bureau of Immigration for allegedly helping facilitate trafficking.

Valte warned government officials involved in trafficking: “Just because you’re in government doesn’t mean you’ll be protected if you’re breaking the law. If the DOJ finds cases that are ripe for prosecution, we will support them.”

“These victims are going through a lot and yet we’re adding to their burden. You victimize them again and again if we do not act on this,” she said. – Rappler.com