The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has recently prevented ten Filipino women from leaving the country to Singapore, suspected of being victims of sex trafficking. According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the women claimed that they were going on a sightseeing tour in Singapore but were later found to have work permits as entertainers.
The BI received a tip-off from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking earlier this month that these women were being recruited to work as sex workers in a Singaporean club. They were promised a salary of PHP40,000 per month, with travel expenses deducted for six months.
Human trafficking is a significant issue in the Philippines. The country has been included in the US Department of State’s Tier 1 Watch List for three consecutive years for its failure to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking. It is estimated that over 10 million Filipinos work overseas, many of whom are at risk of being exploited and trafficked.
The Philippine government has implemented various measures to prevent human trafficking, including the passage of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The law aims to protect and promote the welfare of trafficking victims and ensure that their traffickers are brought to justice.
The government has also established the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, which coordinates the efforts of various agencies to prevent and combat human trafficking. The council has been working with international organizations and foreign governments to prevent the trafficking of Filipinos overseas. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has also implemented measures to prevent the trafficking of Filipinos for overseas work, including mandatory pre-employment orientation seminars for job applicants.
Despite these efforts, human trafficking remains a pervasive problem in the Philippines. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the issue, with the closure of borders and restrictions on international travel leading to an increase in online recruitment of trafficking victims. The government and civil society organizations must work together to address this issue and provide support to trafficking victims.
The interception of the ten Filipino women at the airport highlights the continuing problem of human trafficking in the Philippines. The government and civil society organizations must continue their efforts to prevent trafficking and support victims. The international community also has a role to play in addressing this issue, particularly in providing assistance to countries like the Philippines that are vulnerable to trafficking. The fight against human trafficking requires a collective effort, and everyone must do their part to eliminate this heinous crime.
