The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the United States’ Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said on Friday, June 16, citing the report of the US State Department.
“Tier 1 is the highest ranking, which the Philippines successfully maintains for eight consecutive years. This means that the Philippines demonstrates appreciable progress each year to combat trafficking,” IACAT said.
It said “the TIP Report assesses government efforts around the world to combat human trafficking and highlights strategies to address this crime and protect the victims.”
It also said that tier placement is based “not on the size of a country’s problem, but on the extent of government’s efforts to meet the TVPA’s (US Trafficking Victims Protection Act) minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.”
It added: “According to the TIP Report, the Government of the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. It continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period, considering the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.”
Cited in the TIP report, IACAT said, were the investigation of more trafficking crimes, conviction of more traffickers, amending its anti-trafficking law, increasing the funding of IACAT, and the sentencing of all trafficking to significant prison terms.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, in a statement, said “this recognition is proof of the undeniable efforts of the IACAT and our dedication to combat human trafficking.”
“Ang pagkilalang ito ay patunay ng matinding pagnanais ng departamento na alagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan (This recognition is proof of the department’s extreme desire to take care of the welfare of our citizens),” Remulla said.
“Sila ay nagbibigay sa amin ng inspirasyon na magtrabaho nang mas matiyaga tungo sa isang lipunang malaya mula sa mga pang-aabuso ng human trafficking (They give us inspiration to work with patience towards a society free from human trafficking abuses),” he added.
At the same time, Remiulla said the recognition strengthens “ang ating pagkakaisa at dedikasyon sa paglaban sa human trafficking kaya naman ito ay nagbunga ng positibong resulta (our unity and dedication to fight human trafficking that bore positive results).”
“Patuloy nating pinatatatag ang ating determinasyon na wakasan ang krimeng ito para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mahihina at inaapi (We will continue to strengthen our determination to end the commission of the crime so that we can ensure the safety of the weak and oppressed),” he assured.
The Philippines’ IACAT is led by the Department of Justice (DOJ).