04 February 2016 - On January 22, Atty. Keith Kaneshiro, Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, called on Philippine Consul General to Honolulu Gina Jamoralin at the Consulate for a briefing on Honolulu’s plan to host and organize an International Sex Trafficking Summit on September. The Philippines was invited to participate in the said event. Prosecutors and law enforcement officials from Asia and the United States are also expected to attend. The purpose of the summit is to promote collaboration and to share information including the best practices among countries.

Consul General Jamoralin briefed him on the Philippine government’s strong advocacy in addressing the issue of human trafficking including the signing of an expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, or Republic Act 10364 in 2013 by President Benigno S. Aquino III, which provides for strengthened prosecution of those who engage or attempt to engage in human trafficking, as well as protection to the victims of human trafficking.

Under RA 10364, recruitment in the guise of domestic or overseas employment for sexual exploitation and forced labor or involuntary debt bondage, can now be considered human trafficking.

The latest law is an expanded and strengthened version of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 or R.A. No. 9208, passed by Philippine Congress on May 12, 2003 and signed into law on May 26, 2003. The law also established an Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) which formulates a comprehensive and integrated program to prevent and suppress the trafficking in persons. END