Philippines could be next haven for human trafficking, De Lima warns

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Leila De Lima has warned the government that the Philippines could be the next haven for human trafficking and prostitution amid the increasing number of foreign sex workers in the country.

De Lima issued the warning as she called on concerned authorities to intensify its crackdown against human trafficking syndicates.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, raised the alarm following the recent rescue of several foreign sex workers.

“If not acted upon immediately, the Philippines could become the next haven for trafficking and prostitution of foreign women,” De Lima said in a statement Monday.

Six Vietnamese women were recently rescued in an anti-human trafficking entrapment and rescue operation in Makati City.

The Manila Police District (MPD) earlier arrested ten foreign women, nine Russians and a Kazakhstan national for working in a Malate nightclub without the necessary documents and permits.

Police also rescued six female Chinese nationals and their supposed handler during a prostitution den raid in Lapu-Lapu City last Aug. 27 following a tip from an informant who noticed the frequent visits of foreigners in the area.

De Lima urged the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to work together to put a stop to this illegal activity.

In the17th Congress, De Lima pursued her advocacy against human trafficking by filing Senate Resolution 1038 calling for an inquiry into the reported human trafficking operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). /gsg