Modern day slavery exists

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Despite the Philippines stepping up its crackdown on human trafficking, the 2015 Trafficking in Persons report of the United States State Department has seen no reason to take our country out of its Tier 2 status of countries that do not fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking for the fifth straight year.

The report released on Monday says the Philippine government continued robust efforts to prevent trafficking and took steps to expedite prosecutions as authorities have demonstrated increased law enforcement efforts resulting in the conviction of 53 sex traffickers which is an increase from 31 the previous year. These initiatives have placed the country at the forefront in the region in the campaign against human trafficking and as it has been able to address past recommendations of the TIP report, it should be well on its way to a Tier 1 ranking.

The Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) that is chaired by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima says one significant improvement in the 2015 TIP report is the reduction of recommended actions for the Philippine government. The previous year's report presented 13 recommendations whereas this year's recommended action plan showed nine points, most of which encourages our government to continue to implement existing programs and mechanisms to deal with the trafficking situation in the country.

Human trafficking is the modern version of slavery and as such it is a global concern that countries with poorer populations are especially vulnerable to. Our government has to work harder, not only to get a Tier 1 ranking with the US State Department but primarily to ensure the protection of the thousands of gullible Filipinos who believe that finding work abroad will solve all their problems and make easy prey for human trafficking rings that continue to thrive in an environment that allows them to do so.

Nobody wants to live in a place where bad people can get away with taking our children and loved ones to sell them like cattle to the highest depraved bidder. Our lack of awareness and understanding may not make it as scary as the drug problem or terrorism but human trafficking is a continuing threat to our families, our communities and our country and like its more popular cousins, it is a scourge that any responsible government has to move h44eaven and earth to eradicate.*