Aquino elated with Philippines’ improved rating in anti-trafficking drive

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino expressed delight about the United States’ move to upgrade the Philippines from the US State department’s watch list regarding countries engaged in human trafficking.

“Certainly, the President welcomes the upgrade…the President is very appreciative of the upgrade made by the State Department,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters on Tuesday following the release of the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report, in which the Philippines has been upgraded from tier 3 to tier 2.

Lacierda also thanked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on her department’s efforts in curbing human trafficking.

In a statement, Lacierda also said the Aquino administration appreciated the remarks made by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for citing the Philippines as “among the countries that have made a lot of progress” in the global campaign against human trafficking.

The Palace quoted Clinton as telling international news network CNN that “until the new administration of President Aquino, we didn’t really have the level of commitment we were seeking. We do now and we see a sea change of difference.”

“In response, the Aquino administration expresses its appreciation at these citations and emphasizes our continuing campaign against human trafficking,” Lacierda said in reaction to Clinton’s statement.

Lacierda said the government aims to move “towards the abolition of human trafficking” in the country.