Phl ratifies Asean human trafficking pact

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippines has formally informed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) of its ratification of the Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines deposited the country’s instrument of ratification of ACTIP to the ASEAN Secretary-General in Jakarta, Indonesia last Feb. 7.

The Philippines is the sixth among the 10 ASEAN member-states to ratify the convention, signed in 2015.

Under the agreement, the convention will go into force 30 days after the submission of the instrument of ratification of the sixth ASEAN member-state.

The convention establishes a legal framework for the ASEAN region to address the issue of trafficking of persons.

The DFA said Philippine permanent representative to ASEAN Elizabeth Buensuceso reiterated President Duterte’s commitment to fight trafficking in persons during her call on ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh.

“Ambassador Buensuceso stressed that the ratification of the ACTIP is included in the ‘dream list’ of deliverables during the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN this year,” said the DFA.