Manila, July 25 -- Philippine goods, including its exports to the United States, are not produced with the help of forced labor, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

The statement came after the US announced that it will impose tariffs on 60 economies, including 12.5 percent for the Philippines, for failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

"The Philippines has long demonstrated that its locally produced goods, including those exported to the US, do not rely on forced labor," DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said in a text message to reporters.

"The Philippines already has existing laws prohibiting forced labor and continues to strengthen its leg...