Philippines welcomes Tier 1 retention in human trafficking report

MANILA, Philippines  — The Philippines’ Tier 1 status retention in the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report underlines the country’s seriousness in combating all forms of human trafficking, the Philippine embassy in Washington said yesterday.

“For the fifth year in a row, the US recognized the relentless and comprehensive efforts of the Philippines to prevent TIP, protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” read its statement.

US Ambassador Sung Kim also lauded the Philippines’ Tier 1 status – the highest ranking given by the State Department to countries whose governments fully comply with the minimum standards outlined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2020.

In a post on Twitter yesterday, the US envoy said he was “delighted” that the Philippines was again recognized with a Tier 1 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons report.