Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._ 6232

Introduced by Congressman Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the right of every individual to be free from all kinds of
abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Similarly, the State is also impelled not only by
law but also by a more profound sense of purpose to protect its people from the
clutches of harm and other sinister devises both within and without its territorial
boundaries. The promulgation of Republic Act 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking
in Persons Act, is a manifestation of such purpose. With the help of the existing
instrumentalities of the government through the executive branch, a considerable
number of Filipinos have been saved from being exploited into prostitution, forced labor,
slavery, and even the removal and sale of vital organs. Nevertheless, reports from the
agencies and instrumentalities authorized to implement the law indicate that inasmuch
as the law has established a well-placed obstacle for human traffickers in
consummating their perverted deeds, it is inevitable that they find ways to circumvent
the provisions of the existing legislation.

Rescue of trafficked persons is merely a part of the process of curbing human
trafficking in its entirety. The subsequent litigation and conviction of human traffickers is
the key to stopping this menace altogether. To this end, this amendment shall establish
@ means for protecting the victims of this abuse from the subsequent threats and
dangers from the moment of rescue to the time such litigation and conviction has been
achieved.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is hereby being earnestly sought.

LORD ALLAI \Y Q. VELASCO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._6 232

Introduced by Congressman Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco

AN ACT
TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION OF PERSONS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND
CHILDREN, AS PROVIDED FOR IN REPUBLIC ACT 9208, ALSO KNOWN AS ANTI-
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ACT OF 2003

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of policy — the state recognizes the need for legal protection of
trafficked persons. As provided in Section 17 of RA 9208, the same shall be recognized
as victims of the act or acts of trafficking and as such shalll not be penalized for crimes
directly related to the acts of trafficking enumerated in this Act or in obedience to the
order made by the trafficker in relation thereto. In this regard, the consent of a trafficked
person to the intended exploitation set forth in this Act shall be irrelevant.

Section 2. Expansion of Protection — In order to increase the legal protection for the
trafficked persons, any law enforcement officer shall, upon reasonable belief based on
the present circumstances that a person is a victim any offense provided for in this Act,
have the authority to place the same for temporary safekeeping.

The Department of Social Works and Development (DSWD) or any Non-Government
Organization duly sanctioned by the state to aid in the protection of trafficked persons
shall be authorized to receive the trafficked person for safekeeping upon
recommendation of any law enforcement officer. Such safekeeping shall not in any way
exceed thirty-six (36) hours immediately after the rescue of the trafficked victim.

The period may be extended by the intervention of a prosecutor by issuing a protection
order on the trafficked victim for sixty (60) days for purposes of investigation and
building a case against the perpetrators. However, such protection order and extension
shall only be issued when the following requisites are present:


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. Written consent of the trafficked victim previously acquired by the DSWD;

b. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the life and safety of the trafficked
victim is in clear and present danger,

c. That the trafficked victim is in possession of information material to the case.

Section 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity — This act shalll take effect fifteen days (15) after publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,