ShareThisMANILA — The United States government has recognized the Philippine government’s gains in addressing human trafficking and illegal recruitment issues.
According to Vice President and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Concerns Jejomar C. Binay, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. made the statement during the exit call of U.S. Embassy Second Secretary Doreen Bailey at the Office of the Vice President recently.
Within 10 months of the Aquino administration, the Philippine government was able to secure 22 convictions of human traffickers, including two Swedish nationals sentenced to life imprisonment for running a cybersex den in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte in Mindanao
Binay thanked Thomas for the commendation even as he welcomed the offer of the U.S. envoy of continued support in the fight against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
Thomas also commended the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), where the Vice President is chairman emeritus, saying that he is pleased with the Aquino administration’s efforts to combat human trafficking and he is willing to continue working with the Philippine government to keep Filipinos safe from the said menace.
Binay renewed his commitment to fight human trafficking and work on removing the Philippines from the Tier 2 Watchlist of the U.S. State Department.
Earlier, Binay told participants of the Trafficking in Persons Summit that human trafficking remains as one of the “most pressing challenges” of the Philippines. He then called for close cooperation among law enforcers, prosecutors and judges in addressing the issue.
“We must demonstrate greater results in efficiently investigating, prosecuting, and convicting both labor and sex trafficking offenders involved in the trafficking of Filipinos in the country and abroad; increase our efforts to vigorously investigate and prosecute government officials complicit in trafficking; dedicate more resources and personnel to prosecuting trafficking cases and devote increased resources to victim and witness protection,” the Vice President said.
“As presidential adviser for OFW concerns, it is also my personal advocacy to see that we increase our efforts to engage governments of destination countries, through diplomatic and law enforcement channels, in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking offenders,” Binay added.
Meanwhile, Binay expressed optimism for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2625, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010, which is currently pending in the Senate.
SB 2625 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act of 2003, to include policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially of women and children; establish the necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons; and to provide penalties for violation of this law.