U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - Philippines
- Author: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
- Document source:
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Date:
12 July 2001
Philippines (Tier 2)
The Philippines is a source, transit, and, to a lesser degree, destination country for trafficked persons. Young Filipina women and girls are trafficked to Japan and many other countries for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Many Filipino overseas contract workers are forced to work in substandard conditions or are subjected to abuse. Mainland Chinese nationals are trafficked through the Philippines to worldwide destinations. A significant number of adults and children also are trafficked domestically from poorer areas to urban centers for the commercial sex industry and domestic work.
The Government of the Philippines does not yet fully meet the minimum standards; however, the Government is making significant efforts to combat trafficking. There is no law that specifically prohibits trafficking in persons; however, there are other laws such as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act that could be used to prosecute traffickers. Prosecutions are rare, since the pace of justice is slow and the Government faces serious financial constraints. Corruption is pervasive. Anti-trafficking efforts focus mainly on prevention, the protection of overseas Filipino workers, and assistance to victims. The Government provides assistance such as medical aid, shelter, and financial help to repatriated victims. It also provides extensive training on assisting victims to its diplomatic and consular staffs in destination countries. Persons trafficked to the Philippines are treated as victims and are not prosecuted or immediately deported. The Government enjoys a good relationship with the many domestic NGO's that work on human trafficking issues and is an active participant in regional anti-trafficking initiatives. For example, the Philippines coordinates with governments in the region on trafficking issues in a number of settings, including the Asia-Pacific Consultations on Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Migrants and the Manila Process on trafficking and irregular migration in east and southeast Asia.
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