Countries learn from PH on how to address human trafficking

By KARINA V. CANEDO, December 02, 2016, Sun Star

MORE and more delegations from other countries come to the Philippines to observe programs against trafficking in persons (TIP), Department of Justice undersecretary Erickson Balmes said.

Balmes, in an interview with SunStar Davao Friday, December 2, said they are happy that other Southeast Asian countries recognize the Philippines’ accomplishments against TIP.

“We are happy that the Asean countries are coming to us, kasi (because) we are the first country in Southeast Asia na Tier 1, and we are the third country all over Asia,” Balmes said.

Based on US standards, a country can be categorized in Tier 1 when the government fully meets the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards.
Balmes said that delegations from countries like Malaysia and Nigeria come to the Philippines to learn.

“‘Yung mga Malaysians are coming here, I talked to them why they are coming here and they said that it is because they are in Tier 2 and in danger of reaching Tier 3, so they want to learn. Two weeks ago, we hosted a delegation of Nigerians and trafficking is also their concern (Malaysians are coming here),” Balmes said.

The official added that the Philippine Government, including its offices, is in the process of cascading what it learned when it comes to trafficking.

He said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre explained to delegates that human trafficking is very serious as it involves curtailing freedom and degrading the human being especially those who are victimized by sexual slavery and forced labor.

Balmes said these victims are exploited over and over as long as they are under the supervision of persons responsible for trafficking.

“I am happy to note that everyone is on board, the Bureau of Immigration is doing their fair share, they stop an average of one to two every day. Ito ‘yung lalabas na may passport nga pero wala namang means to stay abroad or wala namang means na magbakasyon sa labas pero palalabasin tourist, ‘yun pala mata-traffic sa abroad (They are the ones who have passports but do not have the means to stay abroad or have no means of taking vacations outside the country but they are made to believe as tourists and eventually get trafficked abroad),” Balmes said.

Balmes said the relationship of parties and all stakeholders involved is strong and are truly making a collective effort with their goal to stop trafficking.

He also said the United States government is set to make a partnership with the Philippine Government for them to fund training programs that will hill help enforcers and stakeholders to stop human trafficking in cyberspace and child pornography.

“There is an initiative that hopefully before the year ends something formal can be signed,” the official said.

He said this project involves Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration among others, and prosecutors will also be involved in these trainings.

Balmes said that the mandate of Secretary Aguirre is to stay at Tier 1.

“Others say it is easier to reach it than to stay on it so the collective effort is to train more people on how to address human trafficking,” Balmes said.

The official said that trainings about human trafficking are being conducted in every region.