This study is entitled “The Handling of Human Trafficking Cases by the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime: Framework for an Integrated Response Against Trafficking In Persons.” It is conducted to assess the effectiveness of PCTC in handling TIP cases as basics in creating a framework for an integrated response against human trafficking. Likewise, this study included the profile of the respondents, the respondents’ assessment on the effectiveness of PCTC in handling TIP cases, problems encountered, the measures to address the problems encountered in handling human trafficking cases, the level of recommendation on the proposed measures to address the problems, the significant difference in the assessment of the respondents, and the proposed action plan for PCTC I handling human trafficking cases.
A descriptive research design was used in the study. A stratifies random sampling was employed in the study. Twenty two (22) personnel of PCR, Twenty one (21) from the Visayan Forum Foundation and Two hundred thirty seven (237) local government officials in Zamboanga City served as the respondents of the study. It was hypothesized that there is no significant difference in the respondents’ assessment on PCTC in handling TIP cases, problems encountered and the proposed measures to address the problems. Data were generated from secondary sources and through the conduct of a survey, using a structured questionnaire. Percentage, weighted mean and analysis of variance were applied in the analysis of data.
Results revealed that three groups of respondents assessed the PCTC in handling TIP cases as effective in all four variables as to law enforcement intervention having the highest grand mean followed by law enforcement agencies cooperation, then capacity building and the lowest rated variable monitoring. Furthermore, the study disclosed that the problems encountered by the PCTC in handling TIP cases were viewed by the respondents as serious may it be in terms of capacity building having the highest grand mean, then came next is the law enforcement intervention, followed by monitoring and the law enforcement agencies cooperation having the least of the assessment whereas the suggested measure to address the problems encountered were all highly recommended with variable monitoring with the highest grand mean followed by law enforcement intervention, capacity building and with the least assessed variable law enforcement agencies cooperation. Furthermore, the findings of the study showed that three groups of respondents have similar assessment on the measure to address the problems encountered on PCTC in handling human trafficking cases but differ in their opinions on the effectiveness of PCTC in performing its functions and the problems encountered on PCTC in handling human trafficking cases.
In the light of the findings of the study, the following conclusions are drawn: The analysis of the reported modus operandi of suspected traffickers and its victims, the observance/attendance in regular inter-agency meetings and conferences to discuss all issues relative to human trafficking, the active utilization of the frontline services such as the Overseas Passengers Assistance Center (OPAC) of Zamboanga Seabased Anti-Trafficking Task Force, and to provide/facilitate seminar/training pertaining to human trafficking to PCTC personnel and to the members/staff of other law enforcement agencies like NBI, BI, BOC and others are regarded as effective relative to the handling of human trafficking cases by the PCTC as assessed by the Barangay based local government officials, PCTC personnel and the workers of the Visayan Forum Foundation. The shortage of highly skilled personnel to be utilized in the preparation of database on the profile of suspects and victims, and the limited information received regarding modus operandi of trafficking of suspects and its victims from the other government agencies, the inconsistency in sending personnel to attend TIP training and seminars by their concerned agencies who are not focal persons or have not been involved in TIP campaign and enforcement, the failure to provide the needed data due to poor recording system, and the insufficient funds intended to facilitate/conduct the number of training seminars on TIP as programmed plus the lack of authority to oblige other concerned law enforcement agencies for the religious implementation of strategic action plans/operational infrastructure against human trafficking are considered as serious relative to the handling of human trafficking cases by the PCTC. The need to revisit the creation of PSTC by restructuring its function befitting the current demands in order to effectively address issues concerning human trafficking, to require observance to the accepted protocols by establishing strong commitment among international organizations and domestic entities through the institution of agencies cooperation, agreements and understanding, to institute effective record management system on request transmittal, and to propose for the issuance of policy/circular that requires the concerned agencies to be accountable in the enforcement of human trafficking are the highly recommended measures to enhance the PCTC personnel and the personnel of the Visayan Forum Foundation have similar assessment on the measures to address the problems encountered on PCTC in handling human trafficking cases but differ in their opinions on the effectiveness of PCTC in performing its duties and functions regarding human trafficking cases. The handling of human trafficking cases by the PCTC can be enhanced through the Human Resource Competency Based Complement, the Institutionalization of a cooperative mechanism, Records and Case Information Management System, and the Agency Based Capacity Building transcribed into a framework for an integrated response against trafficking in persons.