26 June 2024 – US anti-trafficking report: Philippines keeps Tier 1 status

Published by rudy Date posted on June 28, 2024

Pia Lee-Brago – The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — For the ninth straight year, the Philippines remained on Tier 1, the top ranking in the US Department of State’s latest annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

The 2024 TIP Report released on June 24 said the Philippine government fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.?

“The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore, the Philippines remained on Tier 1,” the report stated.?

These efforts include investigating and prosecuting more trafficking suspects, finalizing and adopting the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking standard operating procedures on the identification and monitoring of trafficking-related corruption cases, promulgating implementing rules and regulations for its amended anti-trafficking law and sentencing nearly all traffickers to significant prison terms.

The report also stated some aspects for improvement, including inconsistent screening on trafficking individuals involved in online scam operations that resulted in the penalization and deportation of victims of the traffickers.

It added that the government identified fewer victims and courts convicted slightly fewer traffickers. Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year.

The report mentioned allegations of official complicity in a large online scam operation resulting in the exploitation of more than 730 potential labor trafficking victims under the guise of Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). The government discharged and began investigating a municipal police chief and 26 other officers for “neglect of duty.”

But the report said the “government did not report updates to this case, or whether authorities investigated the allegedly complicit officials for trafficking crimes.”

The TIP Report is a diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking.

March 2025

It’s women’s month!

“Support women every day of the year!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.

Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors.
Time to spark a global conversation.
Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month

Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week

Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour

Trade Union Solidarity Campaigns
Get Email from NTUC
Article Categories