PRESS RELEASE
SFPCG-PR-06-2021
PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO JOINS IN PANEL DISCUSSION ON GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer participated in a virtual panel discussion entitled “The Global Fight Against Human Trafficking: International and Comparative Perspectives,” organized by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SFCAHT) on 09 February 2021.
SFCAHT is a network of government and non-profit organizations and individuals that aims to combat human trafficking in San Francisco through public awareness, survivor outreach, policy change advocacy, data collection and strengthened collaboration.
The discussion focused on the international efforts and best efforts in combatting human trafficking and featured presentations by international representatives and experts. The meeting was attended by over 150 individuals, consisting of officials, members of the Consular Corps, advocacy groups, and the academe.
Aside from Consul General Ferrer, the guest speakers were the following:
- Ambassador Moushira Khattab, First Vice Chair, African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child at the African Union
- Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Principal Judge of the High Court of Kenya
- Ambassador Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Mr. Thomas Burrows, Associate Director, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice
The panelists shared the importance of international cooperation in addressing the issue, particularly the need for legislation, trainings/capacity building, continued education/advocacy, and mutual legal assistance.
Consul General Ferrer presented the Philippines’ efforts in combatting human trafficking, focusing primarily on the passage of the landmark Republic Act 9208 and its amendment, Republic Act 10364. He highlighted that actions are implemented using a whole-of-government approach through the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking, the mandate for all Foreign Service Posts to assist victims and hold anti-trafficking trainings, and the Philippines’ Tier 1 classification since 2016 in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report. / END