EDUKASYON SA PAGPAPAKATAO 10 │MODULE 4

Chapter 5:
Lesson 3: The Dignity of Human Life “Human Trafficking in the
Philippines”

Learning Competencies:
1.1 Natutukoy ang mga isyung kaugnay sa kawalan ng paggalang sa
dignidad at sekswalidad;
1.2 Nasusuri ang mga isyung kaugnay sa kawalan ng paggalang sa dignidad
at sekswalidad;
1.3 Napangangatwiranan na; makatutulong sa pagkakaroon ng posisyon
tungkol sa kahalagahan ng paggalang sa pagkatao ng tao at sa tunay na
layunin nito ang kaalaman sa mga isyung may kinalaman sa kawalan ng
paggalang sa dignidad at sekswalidad ng tao; at
1.4 Nakagagawa ng malinaw na posisyon tungkol sa isang isyu sa kawalan ng
paggalang sa dignidad at sekswalidad.

LESSON PROPER:

Bridge

Source: www.edition.cnn.com

Human trafficking is the illegal transfer of people for slavery and

commercial sexual abuse. It has been a predicament that hinders progress
and development in the country. Statistics shows that most of the victims of
human trafficking are women and children.

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EDUKASYON SA PAGPAPAKATAO 10 │MODULE 4

Walk Through

Human Trafficking in the Philippines

by Ignacio R. Bunye

While in its most common form, human trafficking involves sexual slavery;
the term encompasses a wider range of exploitation such as for purpose of
forced labor (e.g., employment in sweat shop factories or syndicated
begging) extraction of organs and tissues, providing spouses in the context of
forced marriages, and enlistment of children soldiers.
According to the State Department, more than 20 million worldwide
have been victims of human trafficking. Meanwhile the International Labor
Organization (ILO) estimates that the human trafficking industry generates 32
billion dollars yearly, roughly half of which is generated in industrialized
countries while approximately a third is generated in Asia.
In the Philippines, the State Department Report made the following
observations:
 Forced labor and sex trafficking of men, women, and children in the
Philippines remain a significant problem.
 Incidence of trafficking of men and boys is increasing.
 Women and children from rural communities, areas affected by disaster
or conflict, and impoverished urban centers are subjected to domestic

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EDUKASYON SA PAGPAPAKATAO 10 │MODULE 4

servitude, forced begging, forced labor in small factories, and sex

trafficking.
 Men are subjected to forced labor and debt bondage in agriculture,
including on sugar cane plantations, and in fishing and other maritime
industries.

On a brighter note, the report mentioned an increase of conviction of

trafficking offenders from 25 in 2012 to 31 in 2013.
As a result, the Philippines retained its Tier Two classifications in
terms of compliance with anti-human trafficking standards.
Tier Two includes countries which do not comply with minimum
standards but are making significant efforts to do so. The Philippines is
grouped with Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
In lower categories are Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar (Tier Two
Watch List); and Malaysia and Thailand (Tier Three).
The classification prompted Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to
proclaim that the “country remains a leader in Southeast Asian Region
in fighting human trafficking.”
But Columbian Father Shay Cullen, who has made it his life’s work
preventing the abuse of women and children at the hands of human
traffickers, is not impressed.
Fr. Cullen co-founded PREDA, which provides preventative
education, community development, and livelihood development for
many uneducated and poor in the Philippines.
In a recent newspaper column, Fr. Cullen took a dig at the
lackluster performance of law enforcers and the judiciary in going after
human traffickers.
“Trafficking in persons is so rampant; corruption is widespread so
the suspects seldom get arrested or convicted due to incompetent or
corrupt prosecutors and judges and police.
“While most of the judiciary can be said to be fairly just and
honest, not all prosecute or convict because of bribery.
“Despite the brave face of government claiming to have an
increase in conviction, it is dismal.
“That is why the Philippines is still on the 2nd level of notoriety of the
US Trafficking in Persons report.”
In 2007, government and NGO estimates placed the number of
women trafficked at between 300,000 to 400,000. The number of
children trafficked ranged from 60,000 to 100,000.
Given such shocking numbers, which cover only sex-relate
trafficking, I am inclined to agree with Fr. Cullen’s observation.

Source: www.mb.com.ph

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EDUKASYON SA PAGPAPAKATAO 10 │MODULE 4

Values Clarification

Human Dignity
A human being possesses transcendent worth, a superior value among
others; thus, his dignity should be revered and protected. Human dignity is
anchored on human freedom, yet human freedom is restricted by legal
bounds. This means that man’s rights are not absolute because all his actions
and his rights are guided with the principle of what is moral and legal.

Most religious groups proclaim that human life is sacred and that the
dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This
belief is the foundation of all the principles of social teaching. Today, the
human life is under direct attack from so many practices that violate the
dignity of life. The value of human is being threatened by abortion, death
penalty, human trafficking, child exploitation, war and many others.

The community and/or the state must protect the rights, promoted the
general welfare of its citizens, and ensure public order and peace. The
Philippines must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways
to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. Every person is
precious and more important enhances the life and dignity of the human
person.

If you think and feel that you are already being sexually harassed, or in
any form – a touch or word that has sexual undertone, then tell it to your
parents or to older people who can help you. Do not just keep quiet because
if you do, the person might think that you allow him/her to do it to you.

Likewise, you can report any form of sexual harassment, physical and
verbal abuse, and exploitation to the proper authorities. The Department of
Social Welfare and Development of your barangay or locality will help you
fight for your rights as a child. Poverty should never be the reason for you to
allow yourself to be a victim of any exploitation. You have to protect your
dignity as a person by not allowing anyone to abuse you.

Through these violations have become rampant and inevitable, you can
still do something to minimize, if not to stop them. As individuals, it is everyone’s
responsibility to care and protect themselves against all forms of sexual abuse
and exploitation as we impose high-regard to ourselves and maintain our
dignity.

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EDUKASYON SA PAGPAPAKATAO 10 │MODULE 4

Filipino youth should always see the importance of one’s sexuality and
the significance of having sexual integrity. If you do not respect your sexuality
and you allow anyone to abuse you, then you tarnish your dignity as a person.
You should know your rights as citizens of the country. You should exercise them
fully and responsibly.

You should also respect

the gender roles that other
people want to portray. You
do not have the right to put
them into shame, to mock
them, and to judge them.
These people, too, have done
so much for the society. No
one has the right to judge a
person. Instead, give due
respect to anyone regardless
of his/her gender, role, and
status in life and continue to
preserve one’s dignity.

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