THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has vowed to go after individuals involved in the sale of its travel permits or visas. At the same time, the DFA said it is committed to provide excellence in public service and improve its consular services.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), has started looking into ways of closing the country’s backdoor on human traffickers using it’s as an escape route.
The DFA issued the statements amid allegations of illicit activities within its ranks, including embassy officials.
According to the DFA, it “does not tolerate or condone acts of corruption in its visa and consular services at Philippine Foreign Service Post.”
“Integral to its quality policy, the DFA takes allegations of extortion and other illicit activities in its visa processes seriously,” the DFA said in a statement.
The agency gave assurance that systems were already in place to “safeguard the integrity of the visa issuance process, including the conduct of a timely and thorough investigation to check the veracity of the report.“
The DFA also said it closely communicates with its foreign service posts and stakeholders in the tourism and security sectors in enhancing its mandate to issue entry visas and resolving complaints.”
In a statement, the DOJ said an IACAT delegation headed by Undersecretary-in-charge Felix Ty recently visited Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The DOJ explained that the trip, done on Jan. 21 to 26, was the first part of the IACAT’s research on backdoor exits being utilized by human traffickers in avoiding arrest in the country.
“Ty has a positive approach on the trip which he believes will expand the awareness of Filipinos on human trafficking,” the DOJ said.
“Through this, the country’s determination has been shown in fighting all kinds of abuses and exploitation from modern day slavery or human trafficking),” it added.
The DOJ also gave assurance that more measures will be undertaken to intensify the guarding of the backdoor exits, saying the trip of the delegation included the conduct of consultations with officials of the four southernmost provinces.