Rappler's latest stories on trafficking in persons
Myanmar downgraded in U.S. trafficking report
The annual Trafficking in Persons report says Myanmar slipped backward on its trafficked person's index to Tier 3 for failing to protect Rohingya Muslims fleeing a military crackdown in Rakhine state
PH meets U.S. standards vs human trafficking for 3rd consecutive year
The Philippines retains its Tier 1 status in the US State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report
Australian in Cebu sentenced to life for sexual trafficking of girls
Drew Frederick Shobbrook sexually exploits the girls and records them, then sells the videos on the internet
2-year-old boy, 6 others rescued from Bacolod cybersex den
The victims include the children nieces and neighbors of the alleged operator of the cybersex den
Even 2-month-old babies can be cybersex victims – watchdog
International Justice Mission says abuse comes in many forms with children s parents even sometimes involved in their own exploitation
#ThewRap: Things you need to know, June 29, 2017
Hello Here are the stories you shouldn t miss this Thursday
PH meets U.S. standards vs trafficking for 2nd straight year
The Philippines remains in Tier 1 of the US State Department s annual Trafficking in Persons TIP report
#ThewRap: Things you need to know, June 28, 2017
Hello Here s a roundup of news you need to know this Wednesday
U.S. lists China among worst human trafficking offenders
The release of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report appears to signal the Trump administration s closer embrace of human rights issues as an integral part of its foreign policy
NBI nabs American sexagenarian over uploaded sex videos
NBI Bacolod head Renoir Baldovino says a woman sought their help last month after she found out the American uploaded some videos of them having sex online without her consent
Social media used to lure trafficked Filipinas
One of the victims was befriended by recruiters using social media with false promises of legitimate and better work opportunities overseas
Immigration officers, recruiters nabbed for human trafficking
Police did not identify the immigration officers pending an investigation into their alleged involvement in human trafficking Police also apprehended 3 illegal recruiters and their alleged cohorts: A tricycle driver and an airport porter
2 women convicted for selling girls' lewd photos to 'predators'
A local court says Lyan Tandeg and Shellina Nisperos are guilty beyond reasonable doubt for attempted trafficking
For 1st time, PH meets US standards vs trafficking
The Philippines becomes the only Southeast Asian country under Tier 1 of the US trafficking report – the parting legacy of former president Benigno Aquino III
Aquino's good news as term ends: PH improves fight vs human trafficking
Former president Benigno Aquino III says the Philippines is now fully compliant with the minimum standards of the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act based on a US State Department report
24 women rescued from Boracay human trafficking
The suspects are collared after receiving P4 000 in marked money from a confidential agent who acted as their customer
Human trafficking 101: What trafficking is all about
Human trafficking is considered one of the most profitable organized crimes in the world as it generates almost 32 billion each year
Human trafficking: A game of cat and mouse in a vast Celebes sea
The Philippines is a source country while Tawi Tawi serves as the transshipment point for most trafficking cases
US human trafficking report notes 'indiscriminate' offloading in PH
Immigration Chief Siegfred Mison admits the matter of offloading – deferred departure – is really a judgment call but adds that the bureau will do its work without fear or favor
US human trafficking report backs Sereno-led court reform
Some 52 volunteer courts are involved in the judicial experiment of the continuous trial system but the 2015 TIP report recommends the expansion of the system Courts need additional budget for this
US to PH: Punish officials linked to human trafficking
The Philippines remains under the Tier 2 ranking of the US Trafficking in Persons TIP report – it does not fully comply with minimum standards to eliminate trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so
US blasts Thailand, rewards Malaysia on trafficking
According to the International Labour Organization trafficking in persons represents a 150 billion a year industry This includes 99 billion for the sex industry alone
Where's Mary Jane? Aquino's SONA silent on human trafficking
While the number of trafficking convictions has increased under Aquino a US report says the number is considered low compared to the size of the problem
Looking back: First anti-trafficking law in Southeast Asia
On May 26 2003 the Philippines enacts the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act the first law of such kind in Southeast Asia What has happened since then?
Syrian, two others arrested for human trafficking
The operation was conducted following complaints that the Syrian was recruiting overseas Filipino workers OFWs for non existent jobs in the United Arab Emirates
PH, US intensify post-Haiyan anti-trafficking effort
A US funded two year anti trafficking program is lauded by Filipino government officials and is seen as a crucial part of the US efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with the Philippines
Palace: PH trying its best to convict human traffickers
A US trafficking report however says Corruption at all levels of government including Philippine diplomatic missions abroad enabled traffickers and undermined the government’s overall efforts to combat trafficking
US to PH: Convict more labor traffickers
The US State Department says the Philippines has failed to meet minimum standards to end modern day slavery
Teens 'fed once a day,' rescued from recruiters
Bound for Saudi Arabia a 16 year old girl is rescued along with around 70 women from an alleged trafficking den in Pasay City
Police nab 7 in Pangasinan for online prostitution
Police rounded up 94 women reportedly working as English online tutors for Japanese clients
Gradual justice: Human trafficking convictions over the years
Data from IACAT show that human trafficking convictions have increased in the past years but gradually and in small numbers
Palace: Cybercrime law will help curb online sex abuse
The Palace is hopeful that telecommunications companies and officials could agree on how to proceed with the Cybercrime law
PH courts weaken anti-trafficking efforts
For the second straight year the Philippines fails to get a higher anti trafficking rating from the US
Aquino signs expanded anti-human trafficking law
The amended law expands the list of acts promoting human trafficking and which should be subject to punishment
Trafficking in Persons report: PH still under Tier 2
The Philippines is a source country and to a much lesser extent a destination and transit country for men women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor
Up to 27 million people living in slavery worldwide: US
As America prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the emancipation of US slaves people must reflect on how much further we have to go to free all these 27 million victims Clinton said at the unveiling of the 2012 Trafficking in Persons report
