TIP: PHILIPPINES BRIEFED ON 2005 REPORT

UNCLAS MANILA 002599

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, EAP, EAP/PMBS, EAP/PD
LABOR FOR ILAB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OPRC KPAO KWMN RP
SUBJECT: TIP: PHILIPPINES BRIEFED ON 2005 REPORT

REF: A. STATE 100366

B. STATE 98057


1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please
handle accordingly.


2. (SBU) Acting Polcouns on June 3 reviewed the Philippine
portion of the 2005 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report with
Ruth Morales Prado, Executive Director of the Office of
American Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs. He
also reviewed Philippine-specific points contained in Ref B,
and noted that report and points were under embargo until
after the press event at Department on June 3. Per the
report, he emphasized the need for enhanced efforts by the
GRP to move forward with prosecutions and to obtain
convictions, as well as the need for the GRP to address
allegations of corruption and fraud in the issuance of
documents related to Filipino entertainers working overseas.


3. (SBU) Prado did not have any substantive comments in
regard to the continued placement of the Philippines on the
Tier Two Watch List. She said she appreciated the briefing,
and related that she would share USG points with GRP agencies
working on anti-trafficking issues in the law enforcement and
social welfare fields.


4. (SBU) Public Affairs Counselor has reviewed key elements
of the report with Ignacio Bunye, President Arroyo's Press
Secretary. Mission has also briefed Gabby Claudio, the chief

SIPDIS
political adviser to Arroyo.


5. (U) Mission will be posting a press statement, as well as
the Philippine report, on its website on June 4 and will show
the video of the Secretary's briefing at a June 6 press
event. An interactive "web chat" on the Virtual Consulate
Davao website is scheduled for June 8.

MUSSOMELI