CEDAW/C/PHL/Q/7-8/Add.1
8.10 Pre-departure orientation and registration processes are required for travellers,
migrants and officers assigned abroad. Guidance and counselling is mandatory for
departing spouses or marriage migrants to check for possible violations or
irregularities that could lead to trafficking.
8.11 Government-run reporting system for real-time reporting of suspected human
trafficking activities are in place.
Updates on the efforts undertaken to ensure bilateral, regional and international
cooperation to prevent trafficking
8.12 ASEAN Ministers signed the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons
(ACTIP), Especially Women and Children and the ASEAN Plan of Action (APA)
against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children during the
20th ASEAN in November, 2015, reaffirming the commitment to a stronger and
more effective regional and international cooperation against TIP.
8.13 The ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Plan of Action 2016-2020 pursues the
objectives of the ASEAN-UN Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership. It
contains commitment to support the implementation of several ASEAN instruments
on trafficking.
8.14 The 2015 Manila Declaration to Enhance International Cooperation in
Combating Human Trafficking calls for the urgent need for a comprehensive
approach to stop trafficking, and underscores the strengthened cooperation and joint
responsibility of each stakeholder to prevent, detect and prosecute human trafficking
as well as provide victim protection.
8.15 The Philippines has signed agreements with Australia and Netherlands to
eliminate trafficking enhance cooperation and coordination in the investigation and
prosecution of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation (including via internet)
and child sex tourism.
8.16 Philippine operatives coordinate with their counterparts in other countries in
the rescue of trafficked victims. In October 2015, 39 women were rescued in
Malaysia and Sabah. This cooperation is covered by a bilateral agreement with
Malaysia, and reinforced by dialogues on cross-border TIP investigations.
8.17 The State has 2 ongoing joint investigations with Netherlands and one each
with USA, Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Spain. Coordination
with the Kurdistan Regional Government led to the rescue o f 10 sex trafficking
victims in Baghdad who were subsequently repatriated to the Philippines with
International Organization for Migration (IOM). Counselling services and
preventive measures are provided with assistance from networks in countries.
8.18 Internal coordination mechanisms are continuously strengthened among
concerned government agencies and with LGUs. Also, continuing capacity building
among enforcers and providers of assistance is conducted.
Ratification of the Palermo Protocol by the State Party
8.19 The State Party ratified the Protocol on 28 May 2002.
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