Human Trafficking in the Philippines

 What is Human Trafficking?

The United Nations defines of human trafficking as “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation"

Extent of Global Trafficking

Trafficking in human beings is a critical global problem. Next to trafficking in money, drugs, and guns, it is among the most profitable underground businesses worldwide.  The US Government estimates that during 2003 around 600,000 to 800,000 people were trafficked across transnational borders worldwide. Of those, it is believed that more than 80 percent are women and girls, 70 percent of whom are forced into sexual servitude. Actual trafficking figures are believed to be much higher – in the millions – because trafficking is difficult to monitor and is therefore underreported

Trafficking in the Philippines 

The Philippines is known to be among the leading sources of migrant workers worldwide. The economy is heavily dependent on the eight million Filipinos working abroad, as are the economies of the countries where these migrant workers are employed. Tens (even hundreds) of thousand of these migrants are trafficked, lured by promises of a better life in the urban centers.

Traffickers clandestinely organize their transport operations via different ports and land routes in the Philippines. Internal trafficking is the springboard for international trafficking. Worldwide recruitment relies on intricate processes that start in far-flung communities. Traffickers operate in underground networks with strong connections to corrupt public officials and transport operators. Every year, thousands of Filipino women and children are trapped through the cycle of trafficking into a life of slavery, sexual exploitation and human rights violations.

Trafficking is not a simple phenomenon. A system of assumptions, collusions and lack of awareness creates an equilibrium that increases the vulnerability of women and children. To address this issue, there must be targeted and wide-scale actions taken to engage the most critical actors. VF envisions change at three levels:

 1.    A change of attitude in government agencies through greater participation as active partners in the trafficking issue: Government institutions usually tapped by traffickers should allocate resources to tackle human trafficking at the national level. They must also work to police their own ranks in order to prevent and eliminate collusion between the traffickers and government employees.

 2.    An increase in participation by and ownership of the trafficking issue from private firms, especially transport companies: So far VF has partnered with the major Philippine shipping companies.  We have learned that the transport phase is perhaps the most crucial pivot point in trafficking because it is the last point of visibility for the victim and traffickers. VF plans to expand this partnership to bus operators, airlines and other transport firms. The private sector must become an ally against trafficking.

 3. A change of culture in the source, destination and transport communities: Recruitment begins in the source communities with headhunters convincing victims and their families that a decent job awaits them in the cities. Therefore, it is important to involve local government units and source communities in the prevention of trafficking. There is also a need to raise awareness in the communities to create a local policy environment that addresses the vulnerabilities of children and women. Since trafficking thrives on a culture of deception, we must create a counter-culture of truth and vigilance. Therefore, we must wage a War Against Human Trafficking in every possible venue, in the ports, the schools and the communities to reduce the vulnerability of our women and children.