Human trafficking in Cebu "alarming"

CEBU, Philippines - Human trafficking is the third largest and fastest growing criminal activity in the world and is now alarming especially in Cebu City, according to Cebu City Councilor Lea Japson, the vice chairperson of the Cebu City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

Japson said orientations about human trafficking awareness are already done in every barangay.

Authorities plan to include night entertainment spots and the public utility vehicle operators in the orientation.

She added that human trafficking is common to women and children and this needs a “proactive and coordinated response at all levels.”

Data from the International Justice Mission (IJM) shows that there are 52 sex trafficking victims rescued by law enforcement agencies in Metro Cebu area on 2010 while there were 89 on 2009.

There were 41 suspects arrested for violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 during 2009, and there were 19 arrested made last year.

There were 48 suspects charged in court in the year 2009 and 33 during 2010.

Some of the cases are prosecuted elsewhere even if the victims were originally from Metro Cebu area.

“For me lang it is still alarming kay since naay cases delikado gihapon for children and for women,” Japson said.

Poverty, high unemployment rate, cultural propensity toward migration, weak rule-of-law environment and sex tourism are the factors considered as reasons for the cases.

Statistics also shows that around 800,000 Filipinos are trafficked internationally and millions more are trafficked within the country’s borders every year.

Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane, Regional State Prosecutor, said that they are also closely monitoring every case involving human trafficking that includes violence against women and children and illegal recruitment.

Atty. Sam Inocencio Jr, deputy field office director of IJM, said most cases were committed in the barangay level so it would best to strengthen the awareness program. (FREEMAN)