The Philippine government will continue to work with its partners from the civil society and the international community in its fight against trafficking in persons, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, June 20.
The agency's statement came as it noted the United States Department of State's 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report that placed the Philippines in Tier 1 for the eighth consecutive year.
DFA said the Philippine government is reaffirming its commitment to promote and protect human rights as well as its relentless and comprehensive efforts in preventing trafficking in persons.
It also vowed to protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators.
"The 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report is an acknowledgement of the whole-of-government approach by DFA and the Inter- Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in their pursuit to proactively prevent trafficking in persons," DFA said.
The government will also work with its partners "to enhance and improve policies, legislation, mechanisms and international cooperation for further reducing and eliminating the crime of trafficking in persons," it added.