Cops train in handling trafficking cases

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – A total of 60 female and two male police officers, assigned to the Women and Children Protection Unit of the Police Regional Office-8, have finished a 12-day crash course in handling the prosecution of human trafficking cases.

The course, conducted by the Regional Trial Court in this city, taught the police officers on Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, R.A. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law) as amended by R.A. 10364 ( Expanded Anti-TIP Law), R.A. 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Code) and on dealing with children in conflict with the law.

RTC Judge Yolanda Dagandan, with Assistant State Prosecutor Percival Dolina and lawyer Laser Blitz Sumagaysay of the Public Attoryney’s Office, conducted the lecture and mock trial.

Inspector Charmaine Cartalla, who led the trainees with ranks from PO1 to SPO3, said the police officers were taught on court procedures, such as in drafting complaints and proper identification of suspects in the charge sheet, as well as other methods in prosecution.