PH retains Tier 1 rank in US index on trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has retained its Tier 1 ranking in the US government’s human trafficking index for 2019, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced, as he asked BI officers assigned at the airport and other ports to be vigilant in monitoring syndicates engaged in the crime.

A Tier 1 rating means the Philippine government fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and has continually demonstrated serious and sustained efforts to combat the crime.

The Philippines leads the ranking in East Asia and the Pacific, sharing the Tier 1 status with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Also in Tier 1 are Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.

“The result of this report is a reminder why we do what we do,” Morente said. “We will not stop protecting our fellow Filipinos from this threat [of human trafficking],” he added.