MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines met the minimum standards in the elimination of trafficking to keep its Tier 1 ranking, according to the 2021 Trafficking in Persons report released by the US State Department. The government conducted 248 anti-trafficking coordinated operations in 2020 and investigated 233 cases of alleged illegal recruitment, fewer than the 482 probes in 2019. The report also noted an increase in the prosecution of traffickers to 377 against 266 in the previous year. But the report pointed out that despite these, the government still saw the need to increase anti-trafficking law personnel, funds for operations and equipment for forensic analysis. The report also noted that reports on immigration and police officers and other government officials complicit in trafficking continued.

Source: Philippine Star July 02, 2021 04:52 UTC