US embassy cable - 05MANILA9

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