Legarda Hails PHL’s Removal from Human Trafficking Watch List

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY WELCOMED THE REMOVAL OF THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE US GOVERNMENT’S HUMAN TRAFFICKING WATCH LIST.
“The upgrading of Philippine status from Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2 is proof of the significant efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government to curb human trafficking from and within the Philippines,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
According to the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report of the US State Department, the Philippines upgraded from “Tier 2 Watch List” to “Tier 2”, which means that the government is doing significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards stated under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).
“We recognize the need to continue strengthening our anti-trafficking efforts towards full compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Towards this end, the Philippine Senate will strive to pass amendments to the Anti-Trafficking Law of 2003 in order to arm our law enforcers and prosecutors the policy tools to bring perpetrators to justice,” the Senator stressed.
Legarda has sponsored the Committee Report on the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act which seeks to amend the current Anti-Trafficking Law. Once passed, the measure will improve institutional mechanisms and responses to human trafficking by strengthening policies, improving enforcement and enhancing inter-agency coordination both at the local and international levels.