Anti-trafficking task force now under review

The continued existence of the controversial Presidential Anti-Trafficking Task Force (PAIRTF) is now under review.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Rosalinda Baldoz said the PAIRTF was mandated to operate only for a year and the national government is still studying whether to extend its life or not.

"A committee headed by Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz is now doing the assessment and the findings would be submitted to President Arroyo for approval," Baldoz noted.

Upon the request of the local recruitment industry, Mrs. Arroyo formed the PAIRTF last year in a bid to minimize, if not eliminate the growing business of illegal recruitment in the country.

Among its notable achievements was the killing in an alleged shootout of two foreigners, who were reportedly behind the operations of a cybersex den in Quezon City early this year.

However, some sectors are questioning the authority of the PAIRTF to conduct raids against cybersex dens, which they claimed is not related in any way to illegal recruitment.

Baldoz noted that in its one-year existence, the PAIRTF have made substantial gains in the fight against illegal recruitment with the arrest of and prosecution of leaders of big time illegal recruitment syndicates.

"Cases of illegal recruitment being filed before POEA also dropped because some of the victims were already going to the PAIRTF for assistance," Baldoz disclosed.

But she admitted that they have also received reports that some PAIRTF officials and employees are involved in extortion and other money-making activities.

"Both the positive and negative reports about PAIRTF would be considered by the committee in their recommendation to the President," Baldoz said.