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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Human trafficking a major problem, but review of IACAT travel rules needed--Legarda

Human trafficking a major problem, but review of IACAT travel rules needed--Legarda

Published Sep 2, 2023 09:16 am

At A Glance

  • Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said on Saturday, Sept. 2, that human trafficking remains a "major problem" in the country despite the Against Trafficking's (IACAT) deferment of its stricter requirements for Filipino travelers.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said on Saturday, Sept. 2, that human trafficking remains a "major problem" in the country despite the Against Trafficking’s (IACAT) deferment of its stricter requirements for Filipino travelers.

"Hindi po ibig sabihin na sinuspinde yung travel guidelines ay hindi problema ang trafficking, in fact we're saying napakalaking problema ng trafficking (It doesn't meant that because the travel guidelines were suspended that human trafficking is not a problem, in fact, we're saying that it is a major problem)," Legarda said during an interview on DWIZ.

She also added that crime syndicates behind both sex and labor trafficking remain a big challenge as they mostly take advantage of men, women, and children.

She said that she is sure that IACAT's intention is good under the Department of Justice (DOJ) but mentioned that they believe that these stricter guidelines will impair the right to travel.

"Maganda pong pag-isipan po muna at buti naman sinuspinde para po hindi naman mahirapan ang mga Pilipino (It's better to review it first and it's a good thing it was suspended so that Filipinos will not have a hard time travelling), she said.

Legarda said that the momentary suspension of the travel guidelines is a way to review and determine other means to fight human trafficking.

On Aug. 31, IACAT decided to suspend the implementation of the 2023 Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Filipino Travelers amid public concerns that the guidelines violate the constitutional right to travel. The new rules were supposed to take effect on Sept. 3

DOJ stressed that the primary objective of the revised guidelines is “to streamline the departure procedures and to ensure a more efficient and secure process for all individuals traveling abroad.”

“The revisions were not intended to burden the general public but rather to enhance the overall experience of departing passengers,” it said.

Related Tags

Department of Justice Senator Loren Legarda Department of Justice (DOJ) IACAT
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