MANILA — The Philippine government has hailed the continued Tier 1 ranking of the country in the United States Department of State's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. 

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In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Tier 1 ranking highlights the comprehensive measures implemented by the Philippine government, led by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to address human trafficking through prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership initiatives.

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“This Tier 1 Ranking will serve as our motivation in reaching greater heights in our never-ending quest to completely eliminate all forms of human exploitation and trafficking. The State declares an ‘all-out war’ against every single human trafficker out there preying on the innocent, we will show no-mercy in running after each one of you,” Remulla said. 

The Philippines maintained its Tier 1 ranking for the ninth consecutive year.

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“For nine straight years, the Philippine government has been relentless in its campaign to eradicate all forms of human trafficking. We have already gone this far and there is no stopping us in our ultimate goal of creating a world completely free from human trafficking,” Remulla said. 

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Wednesday also hailed the combined efforts of government agencies against trafficking. 

The BI said in a separate statement that as an integral member of the IACAT, it will remain relentless in the campaign against human trafficking. 

“We are winning against trafficking. But the battle never stops.  These human traffickers remain persistent in recruiting victims, but we will never stop doing our sworn duty to protect the Filipino people from this societal evil,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

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