THE newly created Task Force against Human Trafficking (TFHT) will
consolidate all government efforts at curbing this illegal practice in the
country, the Department of Labor and Employment said in a statement.
"The government has consolidated all its resources and focal agencies into
one task force that would directly address the problem of illegal recruitment
and human trafficking," Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said.
He said Executive Order 548-A will transform the previous task force against
illegal recruitment to the TFHT which will, however, remain under the
supervision of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).
The move came in the wake of a National Bureau of Investigation report that
the Philippines is among the top five countries worldwide that serve as sources
of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, harboring,
or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery, forced labor – including
bonded labor or debt bondage – and servitude.
Roque said EO 58-A strengthens the ongoing campaign of the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration to involve local government units in the
fight against illegal recruiters and "ensure greater focus in fighting illegal
recruiters down to the local level."
Local government units already involved in the anti-human trafficking
campaign include Taguig, Valenzuela, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Las Piñas,
Mun-tinlupa and Quezon City. – Gerard M. Naval
