CAUSES

One of the reasons human trafficking is still a crisis in the Philippines is corruption. The government has passed many laws that ban human trafficking as well as laws that protect trafficked women and children. Despite this, unfortunately, many government officials and police officers are still able to earn wages for paying no heed to the trafficking that goes on in the country. Many government and police officials accept money from the traffickers in exchange for allowing the existence of a traffickers’ illegal business and ignoring the prostitution that takes place. Despite the fact that not all of the officers help in the growth of this crime, those that do are enough to increase the number of trafficking cases. (Nivotvongs, Nitara)

One source states, "thirty respondents reported having had contact with corrupt officials in Philippines, while the remainder did not. Cases of police collision with club owners in the destintion countries were also reported. Allegations of isolated cases of individual government officials colluding with smugglers and traffickers, or at least facilitating the trafficking or smuggling process, points to the need for Governments in source and destination countries to take notice of, and rectify the problem. The Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines has taken aggressive measures to do just that." (UNODC)