PHILIPPINES/TIP: INTERIM ASSESSMENT REPORT

UNCLAS MANILA 000009 SIPDIS SENSITIVE EAP FOR PMBS, G/TIP, INR/EAP, EAP/RSP, DRL/IL, DRL/CRA STATE ALSO FOR AID LABOR FOR ILAB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB KWMN KCRM SMIG RP JA SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES/TIP: INTERIM ASSESSMENT REPORT PROVIDED TO GRP REF: A. A. 04 STATE 274813 ¶B. B. 04 MANILA 6074 ¶C. C. 04 STATE 270484 ¶D. D. 04 TOKYO 7437 ¶E. E. 04 MANILA 5428 ¶F. F. 04 MANILA 4432 ¶G. G. 04 MANILA 4072 ¶1. (SBU) Dep Pol/C and poloff reviewed the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Interim Assessment Report (ref a) for the Philippines in a meeting with Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Americas Division Director Marc De Borja on January 3. Dep Pol/C noted that the report had flagged areas of progress, including the GRP's successful efforts to promote awareness of the new anti-trafficking law through varied training initiatives and information seminars. However, the GRP had to make more progress in addressing trafficking-related official corruption, as well as move forward with prosecutions and convictions in TIP cases. De Borja promised to share the report with other GRP offices involved in combating TIP. ¶2. (SBU) Dep Pol/C reiterated U.S. support for GOJ efforts to tighten the screening process for visas to Filipino entertainers (refs B and C). Many of those who receive such visas end up as victims of trafficking, and this must be stopped, he emphasized, while encouraging the GRP to welcome the GOJ's new "Action Plan" in this area and not try to prevent the plan's implementation. De Borja acknowledged that many Filipino female "entertainers" in Japan ended up as trafficking victims. Despite concerns about reduced employment opportunities for Filipinos in Japan, De Borja expressed confidence that the GRP would find a workable solution that would prevent trafficking, while allowing legitimate Filipino performers to continue working in Japan. Ricciardone