CBCP backs Japan’s action plan to
protect Filipino entertainers

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) today came out in full support of the government of Japan’s action plan regarding the trafficking of persons, particularly women, between the Philippines and Japan.

The assurance of cooperation and support was given on behalf of the CBCP by its president Fernando R. Capalla, Archbishop of Davao, to the Japanese envoys who had presented the plan to the bishops at the CBCP’s recently concluded plenary assembly.

Japan’s “action plan” calls for four basic moves: the dissemination of information on trafficking in persons through Church channels in the Philippines; the dissemination of information about the Protection Process in Japan; the provision of marriage seminars by the Church to Filipinos intending to marry Japanese nationals; and the provision of spiritual, mental and physical assistance and rehabilitation for repatriated victims.

The plan, which stresses the need to prevent further victimization of Filipino women entertainers by unscrupulous recruiters, aims to prioritize policies “to combat trafficking in persons” by way of prevention, protection and prosecution.

Through an inter-ministerial task force involving the cabinet secretary, the national police agency, and the ministries of justice, foreign affairs, health, labor and welfare, the Japanese government proposes to prevent greater damage from trafficking by strengthening immigration control and reviewing residence status and visas for "entertainers.”

Protection for victims in Japan is suggested through the revision of Japan’s Immigration Control Law to include permission for residence, the provision of shelters, and repatriation assistance.

Prosecution measures in the plan recommend the revision of the Philippine Penal Code to "criminalize trafficking in persons.”

"There were more than 80,000 Filipino entertainers in Japan in 2003,” says Abp. Capalla. "We are told that this accounts for about 60 percent of all entertainers in Japan, and that almost all of them are illegally working as hostesses in amusement and sex related industries; is that not alarming? As followers of Jesus, we assure that Japanese government of the Church’s cooperation on the matter. Christ Himself confirms the dignity of personhood of women,” the CBCP President adds. “Look at the attitude of Jesus towards the women he meets in the course of his Messianic service – Jesus renews women’s dignity of personhood and makes it part of the Gospel and of Redemption.”

CBCP Media Office
31 January