ustralia, Phl ink agreement to continue fight against human trafficking

MANILA, 4 July (PIA)—Australia yesterday finalized a formal arrangement with the Government of the Philippines to commence the Australia Asia Program to Combat Trafficking In Persons (AAPTIP), in the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell and Usec. Jose Vicente Salazar of the Department of Justice (DOJ), who is also the Undersecretary-in-Charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) on Thursday formally signed the Memorandum of Subsidiary Agreement at the Manila Hotel.

The event marked a milestone in the implementation of AAPTIP, a A$-million, five year program that aims to reduce the incentives and opportunities for human trafficking in the Philippines and ASEAN.

“We are very pleased to renew our collaboration with the Government of the Philippines through AAPTIP program, and we are committed to supporting practical measures to combat trafficking in the Philippines and in the region,” Ambassador Tweddell said.

“The signing of this arrangement demonstrates the strength of the partnership between Australia and the Philippines in tackling the scourge of trafficking in persons,” Ambassador Tweddell added.

The Ambassador lauded the Philippine Government’s efforts nationally and through regional fora to combat trafficking.

“The Government of the Philippines continues to provide strong leadership in the fight against trafficking, both at home and globally. We believe the Philippines’ role is crucial in driving efforts in the region, particularly in relation to the development of an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking In Persons,” Ambassador Tweddell said.

Under the Agreement, Australia will work closely with the Philippine Government, particularly through the IACAT, in identifying national anti-trafficking priorities that AAPTIP can support with the provision of technical assistance and training.

The Philippines is the Lead Shepherd of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group on TIP.

Last year, the Philippine revised its anti-trafficking law allowing for the prosecution of a broader range of trafficking offenses.

The Governments of Australia and the Philippines have been collaborating on human trafficking issues since 2009, with strong focus on strengthening the criminal justice system and law enforcement. (RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)