Philippines again meets US standards in ending human traffickingMANILA, Philippines — Although it failed to “vigorously investigate or prosecute” labor trafficking crimes, the Philippines was able to retain its Tier 1 status in the Trafficking in Persons report released by the US State Department. “The government approved a new NAP (National Action Plan against human trafficking) and consulted survivors during its development. Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not vigorously investigate or prosecute labor trafficking crimes that occurred within the Philippines,” it added. Every year, the US classifies countries into four groups based on efforts to address human trafficking based on standards set by its Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Recently, the BI was the first to raise concerns about a human trafficking scheme that targeted Filipinos, enticing them to work in pseudo-call centers abroad, only to fall victim to a crypto scam ring.
