MTV out to help end human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - Representatives of national and international agencies involved in the MTV End Exploitation and Trafficking campaign yesterday assured to join forces to curb human trafficking and exploitation in the country.

MTV EXIT is a campaign that aims to help end human trafficking through the design and implementation of innovative campaigns that equip young people to make informed, empowered decisions. It also works with filmmakers and celebrities to produce on-air programming to raise awareness of human trafficking and exploitation.

Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale, who represented Cebu province, said scenarios and different situations regarding exploitation and trafficking were presented yesterday. He said that the province expressed full support to the campaign.

"There has been effort sa province in collaboration with national agencies. With this event and even before this event, we are closely workingwith different agencies," he said.

Magpale cited the effort of the Provincial Women's Commission and the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children, co-chaired by his mother Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

In September last year, 13 minors who are alleged victims of cyber pornography were rescued in Cordova town through the help of the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking.

The PWC and the PCWC took the responsibility as the facilitator of the post raid care of the minors.

March this year, an alleged cult leader in Balamban town Casiano "Tatay Loloy" Apduhan was also arrested and charged with illegal detention and human trafficking for allegedly detaining a woman inside his house.

The board member said the effort to fight human trafficking would now be strengthened. Aside from him, the province was also represented by Board Member Arleigh Sitoy.

At least 28 youth ambassadors from Capiz, Ormoc, Tacloban, and Eastern Samar joined the event yesterday. Also attended were MTV EXIT Philippines partnership manager Marilen Soliman, supervising emigrant services officer of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Aileen Macapil, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-Visayas regional chief Evelia Durato, Democracy and Governance team leader Catherine Hamlin of United States Agency for International Development, and OIC Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. — (FREEMAN)