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A 10364 – Primer
MissIdea Uncategorized October 17, 2013 6 Minutes
The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, or Republic Act 10364 is an act that
institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and children. Also, it
establishes the necessary mechanisms to protect and support trafficked persons, and provides
penalties thereof.
In the new law, the following acts are now considered human trafficking:
Qualified Trafficking
facilitates the travel of a child without clearance from DSWD or parental/legal consent;
executing affidavit of consent for adoption;
Recruiting a woman to bear a child; simulating a birth; or soliciting a child and requiring
custody through any means from hospital, health centers and the like, all for the purpose of
selling the child.
One of the new provisions inserted in this Act provides for the liabilities of an accomplice in
trafficking. Under this Act, an accomplice is anyone who knowingly aids, abets, cooperates
in the execution of the offense, whether by previous or simultaneous acts, and shall be
punished in accordance with this law.
An accessory is any person that has the knowledge of the commission of the crime and
without having participated therein, takes part in the commission in any of the following
manners:
profiting themselves or assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the crime;
by concealing or destroying the boy of the crime; and
by harbouring, concealing or assisting in the escape of the principal of the crime.
trafficked person;
the parents, spouse, siblings, children or legal guardian of the trafficked person; and
Anyone who has personal knowledge of the crime.
Any person, natural or juridical, found guilty of trafficking under R.A 10364 may be punished.
Prescriptive Period
Trafficking cases can be filed within 10 years after they are committed. If trafficking is committed
by a syndicate or on a large scale, cases can be filed within 20 years after the commission of
the act. The so-called “prescriptive period” is counted from the day the trafficked person is
delivered or released from the conditions of bondage.
In the case of a child victim, the prescriptive period starts from the day the child reaches the age
of majority.
PENALTIES
ACT PENALTY What
Trafficked persons shall be considered victims and shall not be penalized for unlawful acts
committed.
Temporary Custody of Trafficked Victims is also now provided under RA 10364 – rescue of
trafficked persons should be under the assistance of DSWD or any accredited NGO that
services trafficked victims.
Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction
Under this Act, the state can exercise jurisdiction over any act defined and penalized under the
law, even if the crime is committed outside the Philippines, if the suspect or accused is:
A Filipino citizen; or
A permanent resident of the Philippines; or
Has committed the act against a citizen of the Philippines.
Another added provision in this act is the database of anti-trafficking in persons wherein the
Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) shall submit a report to the President of the
Philippines and to Congress, on or before January 15 f every year, the preceding year’s
programs and date on trafficking-related cases.
IACAT is the primary body that coordinates, monitor and oversee the implementation of R.A.
10364. IACAT is composed of the following agencies:
Members:
Secretary, DFA;
Secretary, DOLE;
Secretary, DILG;
Administrator, POEA;
Commissioner, BOI;
Chief, PNP;
Chairperson, PCW;
Chairperson, CFO;
Executive Director, PCTC; and
Three representatives from NGOs shall include one representative each from the
sectors of women, overseas Filipinos, and children.
Funding
The funds necessary to implement this Act will be charged against the current year’s
appropriations of the IACAT under the budget of the DOJ and other concerned departments.
Additional Funds for the Council is also now provided by the law, the amount collected
from every penalty, fine or asset derived from any violation of this Act shall be considered
additional funds for the Council.