International parental child abduction (IPCA) to the Philippines is a global problem that impacts many targeted parents and their children who are illegally detained there. Internally, child abduction in the Philippines remains a very high concern due to the flagarant number of child kidnappings that occur.Having worked with several parents who have had their child or children internationally parentally kidnapped to the Philippines, I can say that attempting to return a child to their country of habitual residency is a daunting task, particularly if the abducting parent is Philippino.
Despite great economic and military aid to the Philippines from many Hague Convention signatory nations, the Philippines has not signed the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Parental Child Abduction. And though the Philippino government is on record saying they will assist foreign parents who posses custodial court orders from a child's country of habitual residency, the reality is that they do not. Sadly, the Philippines remains a nation where many of its officials use their office to better their own personal welfare. Thus, justice, or the prevention of it is easily obtainable so long as you have the finances to procure it.
One of the problems that I have seen is that the Philippine military has great influence on its various provences. And in reality, as multi-island nation, everything really is local-centric. Which means that national, yet alone international policy and procedure typically falls at the wasteside.
Corruption as a universal culture may be a harsh perspective, but truth is when law can swing one way and then another based on the flow of money, it creates an impossible enviornment for any society to truly move forward on the ever-shrinking global stage.
Tragically, in cases of IPCA, the Philippine government more often than not sees this issue as a child custody case as oppossed to the criminal act of kidnapping that it really is.
Sadly, the Philippine courts have in the past been heavily tainted to assist a Philippino national regardless of the good standing of law. Court prejudice is a reality in the Phiippines as it is in many nation's that do not have transparency or who have micro-judicial auhorititive control on its people.
Fortunately, and with a double-edged sword, there was some positive 'reactionary' news in the Philippines dealing with national child abductions.
Recently the Philippine government assured the public that the police had intensified its campaign following several child kidnapping cases and try to solve as soon as possible the outstanding cases.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a text message, encouraged the public, especially the parents, to be more cooperative with authorities to hasten the investigations and efforts to rescue the children. "The National Capital Region Police Office has directed all units to immediately investigate reported cases of missing children and to intensify campaign to remind parents in their areas of responsibility to report these cases as soon as possible so police can act promptly," Valte said.
The NCRPO admitted that there had been several child abductions in Metro Manila recently but said that they have no evidence to indicate that a syndicate is behind it.
Syndicate?
Yes, child stealing is a business, should you forget.
It added that 38 child abduction cases was recorded last year, including three-year-old Jael Flores who was taken in December while playing near their home in Taguig in Metro Manila. The case remains unresolved so far.
I find it very odd and concerning that only 38 cases of abduction were recorded in a country known for human trafficking.
Syndicates? You bet.
Of course, every child in the world should have the right to live free and embrace the positive magic around it.
I am hopeful that increased public pressure on national child abductions will increase awareness of the injustices that have occurred for non-Philippino parents victimized by abduction.
Critically, it is important that the Philippino government sign the Hague Convention and respect the rights of children eveywhere.
- Peter Thomas Senese -
The I CARE Foundation
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