In typhoon-ravaged areas: Jonas warns vs. human traffickers

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday called for vigilance in typhoon-ravaged areas, saying human traffickers may take advantage of the situation.

"There is a need for vigilance because typhoon victims, especially women and children, are easy targets," he said in a message read by Councilor Nenita Ceniza-Layese.

Mandaue City's observance of the International Day Against Human Trafficking yesterday started with a caravan at 6:30 a.m.

A short program at the city hall grounds followed the caravan participated by anti-trafficking councils of 23 barangays.

The International Day Against Human Trafficking is observed worldwide every Dec. 12, but Ceniza-Layese said they decided to commemorate it yesterday when there was no work so more sectors could participate.

Dec. 12 falls on a Thursday.

During the program, International Justice Mission (IJM) national director Andrey Sawchenko lauded the city government for its campaign against human trafficking.

He also said an operator of a club in Mandaue was recently convicted of human trafficking.

The conviction stemmed from the rescue of a trafficked girl from Bohol.

Sawchenko commended the local government for helping the barangays pass their own anti-trafficking ordinance and create their own anti-trafficking councils.

Ceniza-Layese, vice chair of the Mandaue City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat), said only three out of the 27 barangays have yet to adopt an anti-trafficking ordinance but are already in the process of approving one.

One of the features of the ordinance is the creation of an anti-trafficking council.

"Before, the barangays only depend on the city ordinance against trafficking in persons. But now, they see the need to create their own ordinance," Ceniza-Layese said.

She said seven barangays where cases of human trafficking have been reported will undergo a seminar in February next year.

These are Umapad, Paknaan, Mantuyong, Guizo, Subangdaku, Tipolo, and Opao.

"The seminar will help strengthen the implementation of their ordinance," she said. (FREEMAN)