The Inquirer.net reported that the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking has revised the departure protocols to combat human trafficking. The Revised Guidelines aim to protect citizens from the perils of human trafficking without infringing upon their right to travel. The guidelines will have the greatest impact on overseas Filipino workers, and advocacy groups representing them are expressing concerns about the added burden.
Although the guidelines do not explicitly state the purpose of trafficking, it is reasonable to assume that it refers to trafficking for sex or other illicit activities globally. These new protocols apply not only to tourists but also to passengers traveling for business or pleasure. Alongside the usual requirements like passport validity and visas, travelers must now undergo further questioning by Bureau of Immigration officials. Topics of inquiry include details about their tickets, the duration and address of their stay abroad, and their financial capacity for accommodations.
The Bureau of Immigration’s intrusion into these personal matters raises concern. Moreover, family members traveling together may also face interrogation and be labeled as human traffickers, necessitating the production of birth certificates or marriage contracts to prove their relationships. This encroachment on the right to travel contradicts the Constitution, which only permits impairment of this right in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health through laws made by elected officials. The Anti-Red Tape Authority’s stance on this burdensome red tape surrounding the right to travel remains to be seen.
It is worth noting that these new rules exclusively target Filipino travelers, with no mention of foreigners. Are foreigners exempt from suspicion as potential human traffickers? It is disheartening to see government officials burdening taxpayers and restricting their right to travel while enjoying hassle-free travel experiences themselves, often in business or first class.
Source:
The Inquirer.net (8/25/23). “Going abroad? More documents needed, stricter rules to follow starting Sept. 3”
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