PHL reassures 'impatient' US envoy: Efforts vs human trafficking unrelenting

Malacañang reassured the United States on Saturday of the Philippines’ continued efforts to stop human trafficking, a day after US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. expressed impatience over Manila’s performance on the matter. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippines has been unyielding in its efforts even after making some progress against trafficking. “May recognition tayo na there has been some progress pero our efforts will continue. Habang may kaso (reported cases of human trafficking) it means we have to do more," she said on government radio dzRB. On Friday, Thomas expressed impatience over the Philippines’ performance in curbing human trafficking, saying there was no reason for the government to “drink champagne" over the 25 cases it has so far resolved. Thomas disclosed this in his speech before judges and prosecutors at a seminar on combating human trafficking. “Yes, we have made progress but we cannot drink champagne," he said. “It behooves me to be honest with you but it does not matter what I say because this is your country. It is not my country. We are only here to help," Thomas said. He was referring to reports that 25 cases related to human trafficking were resolved in the country in 2010. In 2009, only 15 cases were resolved. But Valte said the government is already taking steps to curb the problem, including mobilizing an inter-agency task force against trafficking. “Even if we are happy over the progress we made so far, it doesn’t mean we can stop, we have to keep going," she said. — LBG, GMA News