43 convictions on human trafficking cases logged in 2020

MANILA – A total of 43 convictions in trafficking in persons (TIP) cases have been recorded last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported on Wednesday.

Citing the latest figures from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), DOJ Undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said another 31 convictions in other cases related to TIP were also logged last year.

She said this is included in the 715 convictions involving TIP cases since the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in 2003.

The first convictions under the law were reported in 2005, with eight TIP cases convictions and one conviction in a TIP-related case.

The most number of convictions occurred in 2018 with 135 convictions in TIP cases, along with 50 convictions in TIP-related cases.

“Reports from prosecutors and courts usually come in very late. Even up to April reports for November and December convictions will still come in so this number is not yet final and accurate,” Villar clarified.

Overall, the prosecution was able to resolve 41 persons of convicted cases through plea bargaining.