US envoy: Not yet time to celebrate blacklist removal

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – US Ambasador Harry Thomas Jr. has urged the Philippine government to remain vigilant against human trafficking after it had been removed from Tier 2 of the human trafficking watchlist.                                      

Thomas said that it is “not the time yet to celebrate.”                                                                                   

The State Department has taken the Philippines, Singapore, and Laos off Tier 2 watchlist of the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons report, which means that the countries have not yet fully met the standards against human trafficking but are exerting efforts to do so.                                       

Removal from the blacklist ensures the continuous provision of humanitarian aid to the country.

“I think every human being – no matter where they live, Philippines, United States, any other country – should be committed to handling this modern day slavery where it’s taking men for labor, women for labor and sex. And all our nations, we should never celebrate until we are assured that it is over and nobody is being trafficked,” Thomas said.

Thomas recognized the efforts of the Department of Justice in addressing the human trafficking problem in the country. He also commended the provincial prosecutors office for handling the first successful case against illegal recruiters in 2005.                                                                                    

Records of the city police showed that since January this year, over a hundred victims have been rescued from illegal recruiters. The Philippine Center for Anti-Trafficking has cooperated with the local police to stop illegal recruiters from smuggling victims to Malaysia through the southern backdoor. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the removal of the Philippines from the blacklist is a “vindication” of the strict screening of departing Filipino tourists. Many Filipinos traveling abroad have been complaining of arrogant immigration examiners assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The BI has been offloading tourists who could not present income tax returns (ITRs), certificates of employment, and bank statements to prove that they can finance their expenses overseas. “We feel vindicated not only because we are removed from the watchlist, but more importantly, because we were able to save thousands of our poor countrymen from being abused and exploited in foreign lands,” David said.                              

He said the bureau will sustain the current efforts against human trafficking.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima welcomed the removal of the Philippines from the blacklist.

She said the Department of Justice had ordered the disposition of 25 trafficking cases expedited.                                                

Senator Pia Cayetano said the removal of the country from the watchlist is an indication that the country is moving in the right direction.

“But we have not, by far, solved this problem. We should continue to exert efforts to address this issue,” she said.

Malacañang said President Aquino would thank US State Secretary Hillary Clinton for recognizing the Philippines as among the countries “that have made a lot of progress” in the global campaign against human trafficking.                                  

In a statement, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino will write to Clinton to express appreciation.              

The Palace also commended Assistant Zamboanga City prosecutor Darlene Pajarito for receiving the US State Department Global Trafficking in Persons Award.          

“Justice must be done, not only swiftly, but successfully. Attorney Pajarito’s efforts are proof that with official support, investigatory thoroughness and zeal, the filing of cases can result in convictions,” Lacierda said. – With Evelyn Macairan, Aurea Calica, Christina Mendez, Sandy Araneta