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# 									Child Protection Compact Partnership Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines							

Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

April 11, 2017

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The Government of the United States of America (“the United States”) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (“the Philippines”), hereinafter the “Participants,”

*Acknowledging* the respective leadership roles and responsibilities of the United States Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) and the Philippines Department of Justice and the agencies of the Philippines Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), in the fight against human trafficking;

*Reflecting on* our shared concern about the harmful and lasting impact of human trafficking on young Philippine victims and our interest in partnering to improve efforts to prevent children from becoming exploited in domestic servitude or other forms of child labor trafficking;

*Concerned* about increasing reports of online sexual exploitation of Philippine children who are induced to perform sex acts for live internet broadcast to paying customers; the lasting psychological, physical, and developmental consequences for child victims; and the need for a concerted and well-coordinated response;

*Recognizing* existing and ongoing cooperation between the United States and the Philippines on matters related to child trafficking, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs to strengthen community and government responses to child trafficking, United States Department of Labor programs to address child labor, and United States law enforcement efforts focused on collaboration on cases involving online sexual exploitation of children; and

*Desiring* to conclude this Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership, together with Appendix A (Definitions) and Appendix B (U.S.-Philippines CPC Partnership Implementation Plan), to build on the strong foundation of the Philippine government’s anti-trafficking efforts to achieve improved, sustainable policies and practices to hold perpetrators of child trafficking criminally accountable, identify child victims of trafficking in persons, coordinate the provision of comprehensive protective services, and prevent child trafficking from occurring in the Philippines;

Have reached the following understandings:

**I.****Context for a potential partnership on child trafficking**

A. While the Philippines has successfully investigated and prosecuted several cases of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC), many local government officials and community leaders, including Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children, have not received training on the indicators of OSEC and child labor trafficking (CLT), or on what action to take when cases are suspected or identified. Very few victims of CLT have been identified and assisted and few cases of CLT have been investigated and prosecuted.

B. More specialized trauma-informed care services are needed for child victims of OSEC.

C. Reports of OSEC are increasing and additional resources are needed for effective investigations and prosecutions of OSEC cases, including specially trained designated personnel, child forensic interviewers, computer equipment, high-speed internet, and logistical support.

D. Greater interagency/multidisciplinary coordination of efforts is needed to detect, investigate, and prosecute OSEC cases and to provide comprehensive protection services.

**II.****Benefits and Commitments of a CPC Partnership between the United States and the Philippines**

This CPC Partnership between the United States and the Philippines is a jointly developed and jointly implemented four-year plan intended to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government and civil society to address OSEC and CLT in the Philippines and thereby strengthen existing efforts to eradicate these crimes. With the signing of this CPC Partnership, the Participants commit to the following:

A. In support of this CPC Partnership the TIP Office intends to provide up to $3.5 million in U.S. foreign assistance to nongovernmental and/or international organizations to support implementation of elements of the plan’s objectives and activities as described in Section IV and Appendix B, the U.S.-Philippines CPC Partnership Implementation Plan. Of this assistance, up to $3 million will be used to support capacity-building related to improving the Philippines’ response to OSEC; and up to $500,000 will be used to support activities related to improving the Philippines’ response to CLT. The TIP Office intends to select implementing partners through a competitive grant process after the signing of the CPC Partnership and to facilitate communication between implementing partners and participating Philippine agencies.

B. In support of this CPC Partnership, the IACAT intends to provide PhP 40 million (approximately PhP 10 million per year), of which at least PhP 25 million will be used to support activities related to improving the Philippines’ response to CLT; and approximately PhP 15 million will be used to support activities related to improving the response to OSEC. In addition, the Philippine agencies participating in the CPC Partnership intend to commit additional personnel and other resources toward fulfillment of the CPC Partnership’s objectives and activities as described in Section IV and Appendix B, the U.S.-Philippines CPC Partnership Implementation Plan.

C. The Participants concur that the development and implementation of enhanced strategies for addressing OSEC and CLT should be piloted in two regions: the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Visayas (Region 7).

**III.****CPC Partnership Purpose**

The purpose of this CPC Partnership is to improve the capacity of the Philippines and civil society to prosecute and convict child traffickers, to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care for child victims of these crimes, and to prevent OSEC and CLT from occurring.

**IV.****CPC Partnership Objectives and Activities**

Objective 1: Increase the number of victim-centered investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of OSEC and CLT cases

In order to achieve this objective, the Participants identify the following areas of cooperation and activities:

1.1 Strengthen the effectiveness of national, regional, and other operational task forces comprised of multidisciplinary teams to review and coordinate the victim-centered investigation and prosecution of OSEC cases, plan for victim safety and care, and build cases for prosecution.

1.2 Coordinate with existing resources and donors to expand the availability of child-friendly spaces where child victims of trafficking can receive medical and psychological care immediately following removal from sexual exploitation and be interviewed by trained forensic interviewers.

1.3 Provide specialized training for designated child forensic interviewers on OSEC cases.

1.4 Building on existing efforts, develop and/or strengthen and implement inter- and intra-agency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for effective and appropriate handling of OSEC and CLT cases from detection through prosecution.

1.5 Coordinate with existing resources and donors to provide training for prosecutors, law enforcement, social workers, psychologists, and labor inspectors on key issues in effective handling of OSEC cases from detection through prosecution, including the presentation of evidence that does not rely on victim testimony.

1.6 Strengthen systems to collect and report relevant investigation, prosecution, and conviction data, including disaggregation by age, gender, and type of trafficking, for OSEC and CLT cases.

Objective 2: Strengthen government and civil society capacity to identify and provide comprehensive services for victims of OSEC and CLT, including both girls and boys, sibling groups, persons with disabilities (PWD), and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children, from identification through protective care, community reintegration, and long-term follow up services

In order to achieve this objective, the Participants identify the following areas of cooperation and activities:

2.1 Build the capacity of local social workers to identify children in OSEC and CLT, including domestic servitude, take appropriate action, and facilitate the reintegration of child victims of trafficking into their communities.

2.2 Provide specialized comprehensive services to victims of OSEC.

2.3 Expand the availability of psychosocial care practitioners with specialized training in trauma to provide counseling to child victims of OSEC and CLT.

2.4 Strengthen systems to collect and report relevant child trafficking case management data, including disaggregation by age, gender, and type of trafficking, for OSEC and CLT cases.

Objective 3: Strengthen existing community-based mechanisms for identifying and protecting child victims of OSEC and CLT, including domestic servitude, and preventing these crimes

In order to achieve this objective, the Participants identify the following areas of cooperation and activities:

3.1 Conduct barangay-level research on the nature and prevalence of OSEC and CLT in selected area(s) that builds upon existing data and research.

3.2 Build capacity of selected Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPC) and Local Council Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC) Desk Officers, to identify children in OSEC and CLT, including domestic servitude; take appropriate action once cases are identified; and facilitate the reintegration of child victims of trafficking into their communities.

3.3 Develop and implement community education programs in selected barangays focused on child protection and child trafficking prevention, with special attention to OSEC and CLT.

3.4 Strengthen systems to collect and report BCPC and municipal child trafficking data, including disaggregation by age, gender, and type of trafficking, for OSEC and CLT cases.

**V.****Departments and Offices Participating in the CPC Partnership**

A. The Government of the United States:

Department of State

Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office)

• The TIP Office leads the United States’ global engagement to combat human trafficking. The Office partners with foreign governments, international organizations, and civil society to develop and implement effective strategies for confronting trafficking in persons, including through targeted foreign assistance implementing the “3P” paradigm: prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing trafficking.

B. The Government of the Philippines:

Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)

• The IACAT is composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), chair and co-chair, respectively, and the heads of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labour and Employment, Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, Philippine Commission on Women, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Center On Transnational Crime, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and three representatives from non-government organizations representing women, children, and overseas Filipino workers, as members.

Roles and responsibilities of selected Philippine government agencies in the prevention and suppression of trafficking in persons and the protection and assistance of victims of trafficking in persons are as follows:

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

• Make available its resources and facilities for trafficked persons regardless of their manner of entry to the receiving country.

• Explore means to further enhance its assistance in eliminating trafficking activities through closer networking with government agencies in the country and overseas.

• Provide Filipino victims of trafficking overseas with free legal assistance and counsel to pursue legal action against his/her traffickers, who shall represent his or her interests in any criminal investigation or prosecution.

• Assist in the application for social benefits and/or regular immigration status as may be allowed or provided for by the host country.

• Repatriate trafficked persons.

• Take necessary measures for the efficient implementation of the e-passporting system.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

• Implement rehabilitative and protective programs for trafficked persons.

• Provide counseling and temporary shelter to trafficked persons.

• Develop a system for accreditation among NGOs for purposes of establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of the community.

• Establish free temporary shelters for the protection and housing of trafficked persons for the provision of the following basic services: a) psychological support and counseling; b) 24-hour Action Line for crisis calls and technology-based counseling and referral system; c) coordination with local law enforcement entities; and d) coordination with the DOJ, among others.

• Conduct information campaigns in communities and schools teaching parents and families that receiving consideration in exchange for adoption is punishable by law.

• Together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other relevant agencies, conduct information campaigns for the general public that they must not induce poor women to give their children up for adoption in exchange for consideration.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

• Ensure strict implementation and compliance with the rules and guidelines relative to the employment of persons locally and overseas.

• Monitor, document, and report cases of trafficking in persons involving employers and labor recruiters locally and overseas.

• To provide employment facilitation and livelihood opportunities to trafficked victims/survivors.

• In coordination with DFA, provide free temporary shelters and other services to Filipino victims of trafficking overseas through the MWOFRC established under RA No. 8042, as amended.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

• Ensure the prosecution of persons accused of trafficking.

• Designate and train special prosecutors who shall handle and prosecute cases of trafficking.

• Establish a mechanism for free legal assistance for trafficked persons, in coordination with the DSWD, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and other NGOs and volunteer groups.

• Provide witness protection to trafficked victims and their families.

• Receive, evaluate, process, and investigate claims for compensation by trafficked victims, when applicable, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7309 (Victims Compensation Act).

• Conduct training and continuing education program on investigation and prosecution for trafficking in persons and other related offenses for prosecutors and law enforcement officers.

• Review and recommend policies and measures to enhance protection against trafficking in persons.

• Recommend the negotiation of mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties with other countries in coordination with the DFA.

• Coordinate with and/or provide assistance to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on cases of trafficking in persons with possible money laundering underpinnings.

Bureau of Immigration (BI)

• Strictly administer and enforce immigration and alien administration laws.

• Adopt measures for the apprehension of suspected traffickers both at the place of arrival and departure.

• Ensure compliance by the Filipino fiancés/fiancées and spouses of foreign nationals with the guidance and counseling requirement.

Philippine National Police (PNP)

• Undertake surveillance, investigation, and arrest of individuals or persons suspected to be engaged in trafficking.

• Closely coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to secure concerted efforts for effective investigation and apprehension of suspected traffickers.

• Coordinate with other government agencies which may have initially processed complaints for trafficking in persons.

• Conduct monitoring, surveillance, and investigation of alleged trafficking activities in different airports and seaports through its aviation security group and maritime group.

• Establish a system to receive complaints and calls to assist trafficked persons and conduct rescue operations.

• Ensure that deployed personnel to the office of the police attaché are capable of investigating trafficking cases in a child and gender sensitive manner.

• Establish an anti-trafficking section under the Women and Children Protection Desks nationwide.

• Integrate in the program of instruction a comprehensive child and gender sensitive management of trafficking cases in the PNP training school and other schools operated and managed by the PNP.

• Provide capacity building to the senior cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy in coordination with IACAT.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

• Undertake surveillance, investigation, and arrest of individuals or persons suspected to be engaged in trafficking.

• Closely coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to secure concerted efforts for effective investigation and apprehension of suspected traffickers.

• Establish a system to receive complaints and calls to assist trafficked persons and conduct rescue operations.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

• Institute a systematic information and prevention campaign in coordination with pertinent agencies of government.

• Provide training programs to local government units in coordination with IACAT.

**VI.****Communications**

Communications required under this CPC Partnership will be in writing and submitted to the Point of Contact (POC) designated by each Participant as indicated below. Notice of a change in POC should be provided in writing to the other POCs within 30 days of such change. The POCs will facilitate intra- and interagency communication regarding CPC Partnership activities, including semi-annual reporting to the IACAT of progress toward meeting objectives and completing activities of the CPC Partnership.

**Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons POC:**Name: Jane Nady Sigmon, PhDTitle: Senior Advisor to the DirectorOffice: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in PersonsEmail address: sigmonjn@state.govTelephone: +1-202-312-9887

**Department of Justice POC:**Name: Attorney Erickson H. BalmesTitle:. Undersecretary-In-Charge, IACATOffice: Department of JusticeEmail address: balmz@yahoo.comTelephone: +63 920-912-1480

**Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking POC:**Name: Prosecutor Darlene R. PajaritoTitle: Executive DirectorOffice: Department of JusticeEmail address: darlene.pajarito@iacat.netTelephone: +63 927-432-6615

**Department of Social Welfare and Development POC:**Name: Hope V. HervillaTitle: OIC-UndersecretaryOffice: Operations and Program Group – Protective ProgramsEmail address: hvhervilla@dswd.gov.phTelephone: +63 2 931-8101

Name: Ma. Alicia S. BonoanTitle: Director and Officer in-ChargeOffice: Protective Services BureauEmail address: asbonoan@dswd.gov.phTelephone: + 63 2 931-8101

**Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Barangay Operations Office POC:**Name: Myrna SantosTitle: Assistant Division ChiefOffice: Community Capacity Development Division – National Barangay Operations OfficeEmail address: NBOOCCDD@gmail.comEmail address: myrnavinluansantos@yahoo.comTelephone: +63 2 925-1129

**National Bureau of Investigation POC:**Name: Attorney Janet FranciscoTitle: ChiefOffice: Anti-Human Trafficking DivisionEmail address: jam_f72@yahoo.comTelephone: +63 917-717-2076

**Philippines National Police POC:**Name: PSSupt. Liborio P. CarabbacanTitle: Acting ChiefOffice: Women and Children’s Protection Centers (WCPC)Email address: lyecarabbacan@yahoo.comTelephone: +63 2 411-0441

Name: Supt. Villamor Q. TuliaoTitle: DirectorOffice: Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, WCPCEmail address: villamor.tuliao@didm.gov.phEmail address: wcpc_pnp@yahoo.comTelephone: +63 915 867-4777

**Department of Labor and Employment POC:**Name: Joel MaglungsodTitle: UndersecretaryOffice: Labor Relations and Special ConcernsEmail address: useclr@dole.gov.phTelephone: +63 2 527-3000 loc. 708

Name: Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-SatumbaTitle: DirectorOffice: Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC)Email address: cha_lobrin_satumba@yahoo.comEmail address: bwywdole@yahoo.comTelephone: +63 2 404 3336

**Department of Foreign Affairs POC:**Name: Attorney Raul DadoTitle: Executive DirectorOffice: Office of Migrant AffairsEmail address: mojicans87@gmail.comTelephone: +63 2 834 4685

**VII. Effective Date and Limitations**

This CPC Partnership will become effective on the date of its signature by both Participants and to remain effective for four years from that date. This Partnership does not constitute an international agreement and does not create any binding obligations between the Participants under either international or domestic law; activities of each participant are subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

**VIII. Modification**

This CPC Partnership may be modified or extended in writing with the mutual consent of the Participants.

**IX. Sustainability**

The Participants intend for the policy and operational improvements in the Philippines’ response to OSEC and CLT adopted with the support, and during the course, of this CPC Partnership to continue after the end of this arrangement. The IACAT will develop a plan for sustaining such improvements within two years of the effective date of this Partnership.

**X.****Reporting Progress and Evaluating Impact of the CPC Partnership**

A. The IACAT will provide semi-annual reports to the TIP Office describing progress toward meeting the CPC Partnership objectives and completing the activities, including quantitative and qualitative data corresponding to the associated performance indicators, as shown in Appendix B, the U.S.-Philippines CPC Partnership Implementation Plan.

B. The TIP Office will monitor the progress of implementing partners and progress toward meeting the CPC Partnership objectives and completing the activities. The TIP Office will also support an evaluation of the overall impact of this Partnership.

Signed in Manila, in two originals, in the English language.