At present, human trafficking is still a big problem in the Philippine, and women and children are still in great danger because of this crime. So in an effort to deal with the problem, the government passed R.A. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, a penal law against human trafficking, sex tourism, sex slavery and child prostitution. Since the passage and enforcement of this law, the government and the people became vigilant on the happenings around and made efforts to vanquish the doings of syndicates and other people who put the safety and welfare of the people in great danger. However, is the government consistent on its enforcement of the law to keep and protect the general welfare of the people?
Recently, a tougher anti-human trafficking law was approved by the Senate, putting more teeth to the government 's campaign. Voting 19-0, the Senate approved SB 2625 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010. Inclusion of the crime of attempted trafficking, whether by recruiting, transporting, selling, buying, and forcing women and children to engage in prostitution or any other degrading means was also approved. It was also reiterated that the act of adopting women and children especially if the adoption was proven to be a means of prostitution, forced labor, involuntary servitude or debt bondage, including recruitment of children for use in armed conflict are considered possible means of trafficking. With this, we can see that the government is more serious now in combating the crimes mentioned above so that the youth, the women, and families are secured and protected thereby maintaining peace and order, promoting general welfare and the protection of life.
Under the bill, the identity of victims of human trafficking will remain private, while persons accused of human trafficking will now be made public to warn possible victims. This confidentiality clause enables the government, as well as media and other NGOs, to disseminate information to the public and warn them of persons who might victimize them into this illicit global enterprise.
Child trafficking, sex tourism, and trafficking of Filipinas to overseas destinations are still the most common crimes being done in the country. Whereby the prime duty of the government is to serve and protect the people, it is just right that the government has to put more effort and commitment in combating human trafficking and all of its kinds and forms.
Whereby the State values the dignity of every human persons and guarantees full respect for human rights, it is just right that people should be protected by the government against other people who put peace and order, public safety and general welfare, and the well-being of people in vain.
Years after the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act took effect, the Philippines is still a long way from the goal of totally eliminating trafficking. Senate Bill No. 2625 will enable the different government agencies in our country to run after and prosecute persons and businesses engaged in the trafficking of women and children.
Students should be aware of these issues so as to help the government in solving such issues. Now that Senate Bill No. 2625 will soon become a law, the government must remain committed in eradicating these problems, not just to protect women and children from predators, but also the Overseas Filipino workers who suffer the most from human traffickers.
References:
Human Trafficking in the Philippines, Wikipedia.
Retrieved, October 9, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_the_Philippines Senate OKs amendments to anti-human trafficking law, Legaspi A.,GMA News, October 8, 2012
Retrieved, October 9, 2012: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/277387/pinoyabroad/news/senate-oks-amendments-to-anti-human-trafficking-law
The Reality of Sex tourism, Oiga J., Manila Bulletin, October 16, 2011
Retrieved, October 9, 2012: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/337904/the-realities-sex-tourism Article II-Declaration of Principles and State Policies, De Leon H., Textbook on the Philippine Constitution, pg. 65-115.
Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), The LawPhil Project.
Retrieved, October 9, 2012
http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9208_2003.html
References: Retrieved, October 9, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_the_Philippines Senate OKs amendments to anti-human trafficking law, Legaspi A.,GMA News, October 8, 2012 Retrieved, October 9, 2012: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/277387/pinoyabroad/news/senate-oks-amendments-to-anti-human-trafficking-law The Reality of Sex tourism, Oiga J., Manila Bulletin, October 16, 2011 Retrieved, October 9, 2012: Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), The LawPhil Project. Retrieved, October 9, 2012 http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9208_2003.html
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