Philippines initiative to combat human trafficking

Manila: The Philippines and Australia have launched a five-year joint initiative to combat human trafficking.

A joint team, led by Australian ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, launched the Asia Regional Trafficking in Person (ARTIP) project to strengthen the capability of the Philippine criminal justice system to combat people trafficking.

ARTIP will provide training to strengthen the capacities of Philippine law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police, judges and prosecutors on prevention, detection and investigation, prosecution and support for trafficking victims.

ARTIP partner countries also include Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.