ShareThisMANILA — The United States has removed the Philippines from its human trafficking watchlist.
The State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report, posted at the US Department website early Tuesday morning, elevated the Philippines, Singapore and Laos off the watchlist to so-called Tier 2, which means that the countries do not fully meet standards on human trafficking but are making efforts to do so.
In the Report, the State Department praised an “intensified effort” by the Philippines.
It said the Philippines convicted 25 trafficking offenders, compared with nine the previous year, including first-ever convictions for forced labor.
The Report has become increasingly sensitive for Southeast Asian governments, which face a cutoff of US assistance if they are found to be unresponsive in fighting trafficking.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote in a forward to the report: “It “embodies the United States” continued dedication to fighting traffickers no matter where they may be, because fighting slavery and standing up for human rights is part of our national identity.”