On human trafficking Netherlands ambassador lauds Mandaue’s action

CEBU, Philippines - Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marion Dereckx yesterday lauded the Mandaue City government for its “best practices” and how it responds to problems on human trafficking.

Dereckx, who was in Mandaue City for a courtesy call on acting Mayor Glen Bercede, also made a brief visit to the City Social Welfare Office, where he met with 10 former victims of human trafficking, who were rescued between 2010 and this year.

Public information officer Roger Paler said some of the minors at the CSWO were among the more than 20 rescued by authorities the past five years. Some of these were bound to be prostituted outside Cebu before they were rescued, he said.

Paler said the former victims who Dereckx talked to are now “recovering” and almost ready for “reintegration” to the society. They underwent a series of seminar to cope with their traumatic experience, he said, adding that one of them is already attending a vocational school.

Dereckx said, through the support of Mandaue and the International Justice Mission, an organization fighting human trafficking, these minors are now on their way to reintegrating with the community.

The ambassador said the city had done its part in disseminating information on human trafficking resulting in fewer cases every year.

Jesse Rudy, national director of IJM, who came with Dereckx, said Mandaue City is the city “of all cities” with “advanced programs” geared at eradicating human trafficking especially on minors.

Of the city’s 27 barangays, 25 have passed an ordinance creating the Local Intelligence Task Force Against Human Trafficking.  (FREEMAN)