Phl stands firm vs human trafficking

The draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and Iraq was recently submitted to the Cabinet for review.

Agreement Philippine Embassy in Baghdad Chargé d’Affaires Jomar T. Sadie (second from right) discusses with Ministry of Interior Deputy of Police Affairs General Emad Mohammed Mahmood (third from left) and Anti-Human Trafficking in the Police Affairs Agency in Baghdad Head Major Ali Shalal the proposed MoU on combatting human trafficking. DFA photo

The Philippine Embassy in Baghdad is discussing the drafting of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iraq officials in a bid to minimize human trafficking and illegal recruitment of Filipinos to that Middle eastern country.

Jomar T. Sadie, Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, met with Police Affairs Deputy General Emad Mohammed Mahmood of the Ministry of Interior and Head of Anti-Human Trafficking Major Ali Shalalin of the Police Affairs Agency in Baghdad after the Embassy was positively informed that the draft MoU was recently submitted to the Cabinet for review.

The Philippine contingent also met with Bangladeshi Ambassador to Iraq Abu Maksud M. Forhad and Indonesian Ambassador to Iraq Bambang Antarikaso on 12 and 14 September to discuss drafting a joint paper on human trafficking concerns of sending states to Iraq.

The group, comprised of the Embassy of India and the Embassy of Pakistan, is scheduled to meet with other missions to consolidate concerns and proposals next week.

As a result of the concerted efforts of labor-sending states to Iraq including the Philippines, authorities have reportedly tightened security on checkpoints especially on routes used by unscrupulous agencies.

It was reported that Filipinos are being brought to Iraq using visitor visas, but later on victims are being “sold” as household workers to families.

On 15 September, the Asuwera Checkpoint Police intercepted a group of four men transporting a Filipino to Basra while bearing only an expired visitor visa. The Al Masraah Police Station coordinated the matter to the Philippine Embassy, which immediately dispatched a team to assist a Filipino in the name of “Glo.”

Upon the representation of the Embassy with the Iraqi authorities, “Glo” was immediately repatriated to the Philippines on 17 September. The court filed appropriate charges against the four men.