Eight Filipinas die in a fire in Manila, exposing a case of internal human trafficking

A fire in Manila claimed the lives of eight Filipino women working in an electronics warehouse in suburban Pasay City, revealing an instance of internal trafficking in the Philippines. Arson investigators said that several of the workers were able to escape but eight had died because the only door that could be used as a safe exit was padlocked by the owner of the apparent “sweatshop.” The chair of the village reported that “Survivors said that they were not allowed to venture outside the factory and that they were always locked in their rooms. They were only allowed days off from work three times a year.” According to humantrafficking.org, trafficking of Filipinos within the Philippines remains a significant problem. They are trafficked from rural areas to urban centers like Manila, Cebu, and other cities.

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http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/sweatshop-operator-face-human-trafficking-charge-for-death-of-eight-workers-from-fire-1.1341332

Stop sex tourism, urges bishop

A Catholic bishop has called on the Philippine government to act on the rising “sex tourism” in Palawan, which has become a popular destination for both local and foreign tourists. Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Argio said that Palawan faced an increasingly serious child exploitation and sex tourism problem despite the positive impact of the thriving tourism industry on the province and its people. The proper authorities were urged to show their determination in cracking down on sex tourism, which has grown in the province. He called on the government agencies concerned to be more vigilant and address the growing problem, as this is not a problem isolated to Palawan, but across the country.

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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/599612/stop-sex-tourism-urges-bishop

3 minors rescued from human trafficking in Bohol May 3, 2014

Three minors from Butuan City, Mindanao were rescued from a human trafficking ring in the island of Bohol on May 2, according to a radio report. The minors were rescued in a house in Barangay Sta. Fe in Albuquerque town. The police trams had raided the house on the strength of a search warrant from the Loay, Bohol regional trial court. Investigation showed that the three were forced to work in a bar in Tagbilaran City. The minors are currently under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which is looking for their relatives.

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http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/359480/news/regions/3-minors-rescued-from-human-trafficking-in-bohol

Africa and Middle East report highest number of trafficked Pinoys in 2013

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Foreign Service Posts in the Middle East and Africa reported the highest number of trafficked and smuggled Filipino nationals in 2013. During a regional workshop for FSP’s in Ankara, Turkey, each Embassy and Consulate General presented their host country’s problems with human trafficking, which tackled the basics of Philippine and international anti-human trafficking laws. No figures were reported by the DFA, but the country has a Tier 2 ranking in the U.S. Department of State’s 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report. “According to the State Department, a Tier 2 ranking is for "[c]ountries whose governments do not fully comply with the [US Trafficking Victims Protection Act's] minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards."” The report says that the Philippines continues to be a source of forced labor and a site of commercial sexual exploitation. Though convictions of both labor and sex trafficking of offenders has increased, “inefficiencies in the judicial system” have significantly bogged down the persecution of offenders.

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http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/359161/pinoyabroad/news/africa-and-middle-east-report-highest-number-of-trafficked-pinoys-in-2013