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MANILA, Philippines -- A resolution seeking an investigation into allegations of trafficking using consular privileges has been filed at the House of Representatives.
House Resolution 649 by Gabriela Women's Partylist Representative Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan was prompted by two recent cases -- the one filed against former United Nations ambassador Lauro Baja Jr. and the one against Anthony Mandap, former vice consul of the Philippines in San Francisco.
Baja was accused of trafficking, forced labor, peonage, and racketeering by a certain Marichu Suarez Baoanan, while a similar case was also filed against Yap by Arlene Gado, a Filipina domestic helper.
Baja immediately denied the allegations.
The resolution also pointed out a statement by the Mariposa alliance and Gabriela Network USA, saying that the Department of Foreign Affairs is a haven for traffickers.
“Therefore, be it resolved that the House of Representatives through the committees on women, foreign affairs and overseas Filipinos to look into the allegations of trafficking using consular privileges as shown in the cases of Marichu Baoanan and Arlene Gado and recommend measures thereof,” it said.
Aside from the existing law against trafficking, the resolution also pointed out that the Philippine government was also a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which guarantees the rights and welfare of women.
