Gov’t asked to protect Yolanda survivors from trafficking

MANILA, Philippines - Two lawmakers asked the government to strengthen anti-human trafficking measures in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

In separate statements, Reps. Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani and Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela expressed alarm over reports from the UK-based international charity group Plan International of attempts to recruit residents from Basey and Marabut towns in Samar to work for a bakery in Manila. 

The recruiters reportedly tried to convince parents of young girls that they would only work at night.

Ilagan said she has long warned on the increased vulnerability of women and children in Tacloban City, as well as in other municipalities in Leyte and Samar, after tens of thousands lost their homes, livelihood and families in Yolanda’s aftermath.

“Yet it appears that no program or government effort has ever been put in place to arrest or prevent the trafficking of persons from happening. The snail-paced rehabilitation efforts now make the situation worse,” she said.

The lawmaker said it is highly probable that there are more cases of trafficking and prostitution in these areas.

She said residents transported from Tacloban to Manila and Cebu during the first month of evacuation are just as vulnerable to human trafficking syndicates.

“Many were just desperate to leave even if unsure of their destination or their fate in Manila or Cebu,” she said. 

For his part, Pacquiao said the government must do everything within its power to prevent such crime from happening.

He said the government must fast-track rehabilitation efforts to prevent Yolanda survivors from being exploited.