13-10-2023 (MANILA) Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the head of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, made his inaugural visit to Taiwan to discuss matters pertaining to human trafficking, as announced by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) on Friday (October 13th).
This visit marks the first time a chief of the Philippines immigration has been invited to Taiwan, underscoring the growing collaboration between the two countries. In October 2020, they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at promoting cooperative efforts to combat people smuggling.
During the visit, Commissioner Tansingco and his delegation engaged in the first bilateral meeting since the MOU’s signing. The discussions yielded a consensus on the need to intensify exchanges and strengthen the fight against human trafficking, according to the NIA. The close proximity between the two nations and the significant presence of Philippine nationals in Taiwan were cited as influential factors driving their cooperation, as stated in the official statement.
The NIA highlighted that the United States had placed the Philippines in Tier 1 of its global trafficking in persons report, indicating the country’s sincere efforts to combat human trafficking. This recognition further underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between the Philippines and Taiwan in addressing this pressing issue.
Taiwan has been proactive in its commitment to combat human trafficking, signing related agreements or MOUs with 22 countries. Additionally, the country has hosted bilateral top-level meetings with nations such as Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These initiatives reflect Taiwan’s resolute determination to tackle the challenges associated with people smuggling, as emphasized by the NIA.
