HILE human trafficking remains a problem for the Philippines, it is gradually being addressed and is in fact one of the reasons why the country has achieved Tier 1 for nine consecutive years in the US government’s Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP).
Reaching Tier 1 indicates the country has reached the global and international criteria and standard in combating human trafficking.
This information was relayed to the media by Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano, who also highlighted the accomplishments of President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration in fighting human trafficking.
“So, nagiging model country po tayo in terms of our efforts against trafficking as well as iyong online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. So, that is something that I think the country should be very proud of,” Clavano said.
One reason why we are able to maintain the Tier 1 classification is because of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s initiative to combat human trafficking as Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and a member of the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM.
The DSWD has reported that the agency has provided various interventions to 2,024 victim-survivors of Trafficking in Person (TIP) in 2023. Of this figure, 320 were minors rescued from Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), and trafficking.
“We at the DSWD reaffirm our commitment to protect the welfare of these vulnerable children. We recognize the urgency of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement a comprehensive and intensive action plan to combat OSAEC and CSAEM,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao said.
In a sectoral meeting last week, President Marcos said the country “is not a safe haven for people who abused and exploited children. This is the absolute worst place for you, and we will make sure you know it."
Out of the 2,024 clients served in the different DSWD Field Offices, 824 or 40.7 percent TIP victim-survivors were male and 1,197 or 59.14 percent were female. In cases involving children, 16 belong to 0 to 6-year age group, 101 are 7 to 12 years old, and 203 are 13 to 17 years old.
Through the DSWD's Recovery and Reintegration Program of Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), the agency provides a comprehensive program that ensures adequate recovery and reintegration services to victim-survivors of trafficking, OSAEC, and CSAEM.
The victim-survivors and their families were provided with a wide array of services including logistical support during and post-rescue operations; temporary shelter; support services such as transportation, medical and educational assistance; and economic reintegration services which include skills training, and financial assistance for employment and livelihood.
The department also conducts a series of workshops and capacity building for its field offices’ personnel to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the program and its responsiveness to the needs of the victim-survivors of trafficking. It also continues to enhance its existing policies and conduct advocacy activities to prevent people from becoming victims of human trafficking.
Despite these activities, Clavano noted that that on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), the President is bothered by the statistics showing the Philippines as one of the most vulnerable countries for the crime.
Being an English-speaking nation and “one of the most text-savvy” countries make the Philippines prone to OSAEC, it was pointed out by the DOJ official.
“So, those considerations make our country very vulnerable. But the President has rallied behind our efforts and has pushed us to do more for our children and the future generations,” Clavano said.
Clavano encouraged Filipinos to be united in fighting crimes against children by reporting cases to the authorities.
We must support this campaign by both the DOJ and the DSWD for the welfare of our children who will run this country in the near future.