Organizers set anti-trafficking run

CEBU, Philippines – Organizers of 3rd Cebu Anti-Trafficking Race are hoping to increase social awareness in strengthening law enforcement and specialized anti-human trafficking units here.

The International Justice Mission and the National Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking is hosting the CAT Race on December 14 in connection with the celebration of the International Anti-Human Trafficking Day.

CAT Race is a "fun run with a mission" fully supported by the local government units of Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town, organizers said.

Catherine Noveda, community mobilization manager of IJM, said the goal of the race is to increase social awareness about the need for strong law enforcement and specialized anti-human trafficking units to end child trafficking in Cebu.

To center with the theme "Run to End Child Trafficking," it also aims to sustain action against the black market of child prostitution.

Additionally, to restore survivors to safety and strength, and to seek justice, according to Noveda, is one of the goals of the race.

"We let survivors know that we are standing by them," Noveda said.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, whose advocacy is similar to IJM's battlecry, said there are about 107 cases of sexual exploitation, forced labor and pornography as reported by the IJM.

"We are not cowed by this…atong paningkamutan nga mo-monitor (ang illegal activities)," Radaza said.

She added that the city is willing to host another race next year.

Earlier, Mayor Radaza together with Lapu-Lapu City Representative Aileen Radaza started a campaign against women and child trafficking.

Prosecutor Maria Luisa Retilla of the National Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking said trafficking and exploitation cases are seeing an increasing trend.

"Ninety-eight percent of women and children are under labor and exploitation," Retilla pointed out.

Police Inspector Judith Besas of Lapu-Lapu City Women's and Children's Protection Desk said most of the trafficking activities were allegedly started by the child's relatives and parents.

"Trafficking is modern-day slavery and Lapu-Lapu and Cordova are lucky to have been supported by different non-government organizations", Besas said.

Lawyer Jesse Rudy, national director of IJM-Philippines, said he was pleased to see different officials sharing the same goal and dedication in putting an end to the social menace.

"We do believe we can end it. We don't know when but we can end it," Rudy said.

Registration fees for the 3rd CAT Race are as follows: P250 for 3K, P300 for 6K and P400 for 12K. Registration centers are located at Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office and the Office of Councilor Angel Gairanod in Cordova.

The proceeds will be used for helping trafficking survivors, according to Noveda.

The race will start around 4 a.m. on December 14 at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob.

Organizers are expecting more participants this year and the race will be open to walkers and runners of all fitness levels.

This is the first time the Lapu-Lapu City government will host the race. The CAT Race started in 2010 in Cebu City. Two years later, similar race was hosted in Mandaue City.