PH, Cambodia to increase efforts vs. human trafficking

The Philippines and Cambodia have agreed to step up efforts and crack
down on human trafficking as diplomats of both sides met to tackle
bilateral cooperation, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on
Thursday.
Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Maria Amelita Aquino recently called
on the newly-installed Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Sokha, with
whom she discussed Manila and Phnom Penh’s law enforcement efforts.
During their meeting on Dec. 14, Aquino relayed the Philippine
government’s appreciation for Cambodia for its support and assistance
in addressing human trafficking issues involving Filipinos in
Cambodia.
“She cited in particular the continuous support provided by the
Cambodian National Police and the General Department of Immigration
for Filipinos in distress,” the DFA said, in a statement.
Cambodia was among the countries where Filipinos have been reported to
be victims of human trafficking. DFA recently disclosed that Filipinos
are still being trafficked to Cambodia, among other Southeast Asian
nations, to work as online scammers.
Aquino also shared the country’s measures in solving such a problem
and its efforts in disseminating information on the immigration
policies of Cambodia.
Cambodia’s top diplomat then suggested increasing both countries’
partnership on capacity-building programs, such as training for the
public sector, particularly in law enforcement.
“He also mentioned strengthening cooperation on education and tourism,
which would facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two
countries,” DFA stressed.