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Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday commended the United States Air Force Korea in its efforts to put a stop to the prostitution and cases of human trafficking after USAF Lieutenant General Jan-Marc Jouas issued 7AF Order on Combatting Prostitution and Trafficking in Persons prohibiting its personnel from providing money or anything of value to an employee or establishment in Korea for the primary purpose of obtaining an employee’s company or companionship, either inside or outside of the establishment.

“Trafficking in person is, indeed, a global problem that can only be addressed through the collective efforts of the each country. I salute this move from the USAF and for their strong position to uphold and protect human dignity, especially since most Filipinas who were victimized by illegal recruitment were left with no choice but to work as entertainers or forced to work as one,” Baldoz said.

In her report to the Secretary, Labor Attache to Korea Felicitas Q. Bay said that the order cited that the governments of Korea, United States, and the Philippines, as well as the Air Force criminal investigations have established a clear link between the practices employed by disreputable establishments and the plight of entertainers who, in all likelihood, become trafficked victims in Korea.

According to the order, all airmen assigned permanently, on temporary duty, or on rotational duty in Korea, to Seventh Air Force (7 AF) units or organizations supported by 7AF units are prohibited from paying for companionship in or outside of bars or other establishments, as well as, paying a fee to pay darts, pool, or engage in other entertainment with an employee, buying a drink or souvenir in exchange for an employee’s company.

Moreover, it further states that members of the United States Air Force who fail to comply with the memorandum are subject to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ.

Department of Defense (DoD) civilians and DoD-invited contractors, technical representatives, family members of military, DoD civilians, and DoD contractors, and visiting guests are encouraged to adhere to the order.

The 7AF order covers all airmen in Osan and Kunsan Airbase.

“The Philippine Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, did not waiver in its coordination and cooperation with USFK authorities. POLO will continue its preventive and investigative measures to stern the tide of trafficked entertainers and the illegal use of E-6 visa,” Bay said in her letter.

“It is really a high time to take concrete steps end trafficking in persons and prostitution. It takes advantage of the needy and it does not, in anyway, promotes decent and productive work that we are advocating for all Filipino workers, here and around the world,” Baldoz ended.