Tag Archives: humantrafficking

[In the news] Zambo police rescue 18 human trafficking victims -MindaNews

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MindaNews » Zambo police rescue 18 human trafficking victims.

August 31, 2012

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – The Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has rescued 18 victims, including six minors, of human trafficking at a private wharf in this city, a police official revealed Thursday.

Senior Insp. Gemma Luna, WCPD chief, disclosed that the victims were rescued around 9 a.m. Wednesday while they were about to board a ferry bound for the province of Tawi-tawi at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, this city.

Luna said the rescue of the victims came after operatives from her office, in coordination with the Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (SBATTF), responded to a report that human trafficking victims were sighted at Baliwasan seaside.

The rescued victims told the police that they were hired to work as fishermen in Tandubas municipality, Tawi-tawi.

Luna said the victims identified their recruiter as Melzar Ujatimuay Danda, of Kabasalan town in Zamboanga Sibugay, and their employer as Magellan Mohammad Ali-Naugan.

The rescued victims were turned over to the Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF), a non-government organization (NGO) which works on issues of domestic work, child labor and human trafficking, especially of women and children, Luna said.

Read full article @ www.mindanews.com

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[From the web] Dumaguete hosts MTV Exit concert vs human trafficking -INQUIRER.net

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Dumaguete hosts MTV Exit concert vs human trafficking.

INQUIRER.net
August 14, 2012

MANILA, Philippines – MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) and the Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (MATA) announced the full artist line-up that will be performing at the MTV EXIT’s National Anti-Trafficking Roadshow Concert at Dumaguete’s Freedom Park on August 17.

Kyle Patrick, the lead singer of The Click Five and MTV EXIT’s Celebrity Ambassador will also be joining MTV EXIT’s youth leaders as well as the leading youth performing arts group, Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA) at Dumaguete to educate and inspire Filipino students at St. Paul University on key messages on human trafficking and how they may further develop campaigns to spread awareness across the Philippines.

Kyle Patrick said, “I’m really excited to be in the Philippines to use my music to spread the word about human trafficking, let people know that it is wrong, and that they can help to make a difference and end it. I’ve heard personal stories straight from survivors and I can’t believe what they have been through. They are the strongest people I have ever met in my life and I don’t want anyone else to go through that.”

Blasting out of the gates with his debut solo album on July 20, Kyle Patrick’s new singles showcase his powerful voice and knack for writing pop songs with the leadoff single Go For Goldreleased along with a 3D music video. Kyle Patrick has sold over two million records to date with number-one singles in no less than eight countries and awarded Male Vocalist of the year, including a win for Outstanding Pop Act of the Year at the Boston Music Awards and many other outstanding achievements. Kyle Patrick also performed with his band at several MTV EXIT concerts over the years and has made a personal commitment to further engage himself to support the cause by using music as a universal language to spread key anti-trafficking messages to his fans internationally. Kyle Patrick will also mark his musical journey in his upcoming visit in the Philippines with a special visit to the Visayan Forum (VF) Center of Hope shelter to further learn of this critical social issue affecting Filipinos. The Click Five’s collaboration with MTV EXIT also includes the music video, Don’t Let Me Go, which is now seen by over a million international viewers online and on-air television.

Read full article @ entertainment.inquirer.net

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[Press Release] More Vigilance vs. Trafficking by Marriage -CFO

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More Vigilance vs. Trafficking by Marriage

The clamor for upscaling the fight against Human Trafficking has resultedin tighter monitoring by concerned government agencies in the Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking (IACAT). A statement released by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas clarified its role in the campaign ashead of the SubCommittee on Advocacy & Communication.

Despite the establishment by the CFO of the 1343 hotline against HumanTrafficking, many victims still do not file charges against theirrecruiters. To-date, the hotline has received 11,000 calls from local andoverseas sources, and CFO recorded 165 case calls, of which 52 arereportedly victims of human trafficking.

Due to the need for closer surveillance of the perpetrators of HumanTrafficking, especially via marriage bureaus or syndicates, since July 16,the CFO took over the conduct of Guidance & Counseling Services from twoprivate service providers. Doubts had been raised regarding the improperuse of the CFO sticker which is affixed to passports of spouses andpartners of foreign nationals upon presentation of the completion of thecounseling. The CFO has expanded its services and taken a direct hand toensure the legitimacy of the documents being presented.

The CFO emphasized that convergence initiatives of the Aquino governmenthave resulted in stronger IACAT coordination in the wake of the markedincrease in the number of Filipinas headed for abroad, especially forSouth Korea. The recent successes reported by the Bureau of Immigration incurbing the efforts of traffickers prove that this is an effective way tonip the problem at various points of the departure processing system.While the CFO recently forged an agreement with the Ministry of GenderEquality and Family (MOGEF) of South Korea to improve the delivery ofinformation and assistance here and abroad, this is still no guaranteethat our nationals will be well-protected.

Trafficking, in the guise of intermarriage, is a known practice which hasnow used advances in technology. The CFO case monitoring databank showthat offers of overseas employment via marriage is a source of income forlocal pimps, which unfortunately also including relatives, friends andother colluding parties.

The need for heavily penalizing and revealing the identity of theperpetrators of mail order bride schemes and other forms of humantrafficking cannot be overemphasized. The CFO also strongly urges policyreform via changes in the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law (RA 6955) and theAnti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208), as initiatives of theIACAT will need the cooperation of all stakeholders.

MGTirona
Executive Director, CFO
August 6, 2012 9pm

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[In the news] Zamboanga police rescue 43 human trafficking victims | Sun.Star

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Zamboanga police rescue 43 human trafficking victims | Sun.Star.

By Bong Garcia
May 19, 2012

ZAMBOANGA City Police Office (ZCPO) operatives have rescued 43 victims of human trafficking, mostly minors, and arrested the suspected recruiter in this southern port city, a top police official announced Saturday.

Chief Superintendent Mario Yanga, police regional director for Administration, said the victims were rescued and the suspect was arrested around 8:56 a.m. Friday at a hotel along Governor Alvarez Avenue in downtown Zamboanga City.

Yanga said the victims are from the villages of Makiri and Timpul, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.

Yanga identified the arrested suspect as Khaiser Salih, 25, a native of Isabela City.

The arrest of the suspect came after an informant tipped off Yanga concerning the presence of suspected human trafficking victims at Medio Hotel along Governor Alvarez Avenue.

Read full article @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2012/05/19/police-rescue-43-human-trafficking-victims-222353

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[From the web] Human trafficking simplified: lawyer defines offenses for media practitioners -GMA News

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Human trafficking simplified: lawyer defines offenses for media practitioners.

R. A. DIOQUINO
March 26, 2012

Dubbed as “modern-day slavery,” human trafficking affects millions of individuals and families around the world, most of whom were driven to such situation by a singular desire to rise above poverty.

However, this issue — while widespread — is said to have remained in the backburner of many people’s minds because of both its complicated definition under the rule of law and the simplicity of the acts through which they occur.

Over the weekend, representatives of the Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) sat down with members of the media to explain the issue in bite-sized terms.

Trafficking defined

According to IACAT lawyer Patty Sison-Arroyo, trafficking is determined by The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA No. 9280) with the following elements combined:

acts (such as recruit, transport, transfer, harbor, receive);

means (threat, coercion, abduction, fraud or deception, abuse of power); and

purpose for exploitation (for sexual, labor, or even physical abuse that comes in the removal of organs).

“The exploitative purpose need not be carried out as long as there is evidence of such intent,” she said, adding that the proof may come in written or spoken transactions or a noticeable pattern of operations.

Trafficking may come in any of the following schemes, which can get perpetrators 20 years in prison and a fine of P1 million to P2 million:

sex trafficking (prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation);

forced labor (slavery, debt bondage, involuntary servitude);

organ trafficking; and children in armed activities.

The offense, however, is considered more grave by the law when it involves a minor, wherein the “means” is taken off the formula.

“This is done because children are incapable of consent,” Sison-Arroyo said. “This also goes for persons over 18 years old who may have the mental age of a child.”

Other factors that aggravate punishment (to life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to P5 million) include:

when a person is recruited to engage in prostitution with any member of the military or law enforcement agencies;

when the trafficker is an ascendant, parent, sibling, or guardian; and

when it is done by a syndicate (three or more traffickers) or in large scale (three or more victims).

Read full article @ www.gmanetwork.com

[From the web] Jericho Rosales produces an anti-human trafficking indie film titled Alagwa -www.pep.ph

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Jericho Rosales produces an anti-human trafficking indie film titled Alagwa

Allan Sancon, http://www.pep.ph
April 03, 2012

Karamihan sa mga artista ngayon ay hindi lang pag arte ang pinagkakaabalahan. Maging ang pagdi direk at pagpo produce ng film ay pinapasok na nila. Isa na rito ang aktor na si Jericho Rosales na siyang nagproduce ng kanyang unang indie film na pinamagatang Alagwa.

Bukod sa pagiging producer, si Echo rin ang gaganap na bida sa indie film na ito. Kasama niya rito ang bida ng ABS-CBN teleserye na E-Boy, si Bugoy Cariño. Sa recent set visit para sa teleserye ni Echo na pinamagatang Dahil Sa Pag-Ibig, nagkaroon ang ibang press at ang PEP.ph ng pagkakataon na makapanayam ang aktor tungkol sa indie film na ito.

Ani Jericho, “It’s my first time to produce an indie film, ang title niya Alagwa, directed by Ian Loreños. Ipapalabas siya dito sa Pilipinas then dadalhin sa ibang bansa. We are working with the Visayan Forum that supported by USA against human trafficking. So, may advocacy yung movie na ito, yun nga yung against human trafficking.”

Ang Alagwa (international title: Breakaway) ay inspired ng isang urban legend tungkol sa isang bata na nawala sa Chinatown.

Read full article @ www.pep.ph

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UN: 2.4 million human trafficking victims | Sun.Star

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UN: 2.4 million human trafficking victims | Sun.Star.

April 4, 2012

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. crime-fighting office said 2.4 million people across the globe are victims of human trafficking at any one time, and 80 percent of them are being used as sexual slaves.

Yuri Fedotov, the head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, told a daylong General Assembly meeting on trafficking Tuesday that two out of every three victims are women.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[In the news] Kababaihan Festival activities bared | Sun.Star

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Kababaihan Festival activities bared | Sun.Star.

By JM Agreda
March 8, 2012

SEVERAL activities are slated this month in celebration of Women’s Month.

Jeth Junio of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer III said women’s concerns, issues and achievements will take the center stage this month through different activities that include forums, a trade fair and a film festival.

Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera division chief Perlita Panganiban said inter-agency coordination has been important in spreading awareness on women’s issues violence against women and their children and human trafficking.

This month, the Kababaihan Festival kicked off with a press launch and a meeting of the Interagency Committee on Anti-Trafficking discussing close coordination and monitoring of trafficked women in the region.

Panganiban said inter-agency coordination has helped in reducing cases of trafficked women in the region.

Last year, some 20 cases have been registered in the region with Abra having the most number of trafficked women followed by Baguio City.

Baguio City recently figured in anti-trafficking reports when eight women from Davao were forced into difficult circumstances in one of the bars in the city.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph

[Featured Video] Anti Human Trafficking Infomercial-www.visayanforum.org

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Don’t be a victim human trafficking. Know the tell-tale signs and be vigilant. Call 1434 for Metro Manila, (02) 1434 for outside Metro Manila, (632) for outside Philippines.

If you want to volunteer and share your time and expertise visit http://www.visayanforum.org/portal.

[In the news] Partnership To Fight Human Trafficking -www.mb.com.ph

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Partnership To Fight Human Trafficking
By SARAH HILOMEN-VELASCO, http://www.mb.com.ph
February 4, 2012,

MANILA, Philippines — Two organizations in the Visayas region have joined forces to stop the illegal human trade.

The Millennium Challenge Account – Philippines (MCA-P) and the Visayan Forum Foundation have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) as they wage war against human trafficking.

The agreement covers the MCA-P project areas of Western and Eastern Samar.

MCA-P is a Philippine entity implementing the $434-million grant from the US funding agency, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), aimed at reducing poverty through economic growth.

The Visayan Forum is a non-profit organization working for the protection of vulnerable migrants, including victims of human trafficking, forced labor, and other modern-day forms of slavery.

Ma. Victoria E. Anonuevo, MCA-P managing director and chief executive officer, revealed that the agreement will be a prelude to eventually ending trafficking in persons (TIP) in the country. “This MOA is only an initial but nonetheless a significant step towards safeguarding our project areas against this modern-day slavery that victimizes mostly the poorest sectors of our society,” she said.

Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, Visayan Foum president, expressed confidence that the public-private partnership in the fight against human trafficking will achieve results. “Visayan Forum believes that this partnership will have a lasting impact not only on the communities covered by MCA-P but because this will serve as a model for private sector innovation in the war against human trafficking,” she said.

The Visayan Forum noted that the Philippines has been reported to be vulnerable to TIP because of the “culture of migration.” The country is said to be the third leading source of migrant workers in the world.

Read full article @ www.mb.com.ph

[In the news] 15 human trafficking victims rescued – SunStar.com.ph

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15 human trafficking victims rescued
By Bong Garcia, SunStar.com.ph
January 11, 2012

 THE multi-agency Sea-Based Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (SBATTF) has intercepted and rescued 15 victims of human trafficking in Zamboanga City, a top police official announced Wednesday.

Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo said the victims were rescued around 9 a.m. Monday at the local port.

De Ocampo said the rescue came after receipt of information by his command’s Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) that some ten women were allegedly recruited to work abroad and are being kept in a house in the village of Rio Hondo.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph

[In the news] UN warns 87,500 ‘Sendong’ children at risk of abuse, neglect and trafficking – www.gmanetwork.com

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UN warns 87,500 ‘Sendong’ children at risk of abuse, neglect and trafficking
by AMANDA LAGO, GMA News

  Disaster relief workers of the United Nations on Tuesday said it is urgent that measures be put in place to protect thousands of orphaned and unaccompanied children from abuse, neglect and human trafficking syndicates in areas ravaged by Tropical Storm Sendong.

“Around 87,500 children require registration and camp coordination to protect them from abuse, exploitation and trafficking in evacuation centers,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday in a situation report on the impact of Sendong.

“There is a lack of protection mechanisms for vulnerable sub-groups, such as pregnant and lactating women, female heads of households, single women, people with disabilities and the elderly,” the report also noted.

Read full article @ www.gmanetwork.com

[In the news] Youth leaders in Cebu join fight vs human trafficking | Sun.Star

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Youth leaders in Cebu join fight vs human trafficking | Sun.Star.

CEBU CITY — Young leaders in Cebu province signed a covenant Friday to help prevent and report human trafficking cases in their cities and towns.

“We will continue to be your strong ally in this fight,” said United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., who joined the youth at the Cebu International Convention Center.

At least 1,000 boys and girls attended the covenant-signing by the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) and Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (Mata).

“Children are not items to be sold, they are not for sale. Do not tarnish their image. Please uphold their dignity and innocence,” said Aladdin Caminero, PPSK president and youth representative to the Cebu Provincial Board.

“It is very distressing to note that several raids conducted have led to the arrest and prosecution of relatives and neighbors of the victims themselves,” Caminero said in his speech.

A similar observation was raised in the US State Department‘s Trafficking in Persons Report 2011.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph

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[In the news] IBP volunteer lawyers to help protect OFWs, prosecute human traffickers – www.mb.com.ph

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IBP volunteer lawyers to help protect OFWs, prosecute human traffickers
By FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers are volunteering to help indigent victims to prosecute human traffickers who exploit them.

The volunteer lawyers will be part of the Anti-Trafficking in Person Action Teams (ATIPAT) under the Center for Legal Aid of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

The IBP has also established an Overseas Filipino Workers-Legal Assistance Unit (OFW-LAU) at its offices in Pasig City where victims of the trafficking can seek help to get justice.

The OFW-LAU and the ATIPAT were launched last Monday in the program held at the IBP office in Pasig attended by high-ranking members of government, IBP member lawyers from different chapters nationwide, and non-governmental organizations or NGOs.

According to lawyer Rosario T. Setias-Reyes, IBP National Center for Legal Aid (NCLA) deputy director, the formation of the IBP-ATIPAT is a major step towards ensuring that trafficking victims have adequate access to justice against criminals who exploited them.

In an interview, Reyes said the IBP-ATIPAT is an elite group of IBP volunteer trial lawyers and staff who will provide competent, free and maximum possible legal service in the effective prosecution of trafficking cases involving indigent victims of human trafficking as part of the Developmental Legal Aid Program of the IBP.

Reyes said the IBP-ATIPAT will improve the administration of justice and enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively in the fight against human trafficking in the Philippines through the provision of competent, free, and comprehensive legal services to indigent victims of human trafficking in all trafficking hot spots nationwide.

Read full article @ www.mb.com.ph

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[In the news] Youth to help vs. human trafficking – www.sunstar.com.ph

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Youth to help vs. human trafficking
By Rizel S. Adlawan

THE youth sector has been tapped to become active in the fight against human trafficking.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. will attend the launching of Cebu Chapter’s Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (Mata) by the Cebu Provincial Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

It will be on Sept. 16 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports Mata.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she’s not sure if the issue on cybersex will be discussed with the ambassador.

She said there will be a signing of a memorandum of agreement with the SK in the program of Mata, engaging the youth and the SK to actively campaign as well against human trafficking.

She said she had tasked the SK to be active in the campaign.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph

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[In the news] New LTFRB head meets transport groups – www.philstar.com

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New LTFRB head meets transport groups
By Dennis Carcamo

MANILA, Philippines— Newly-appointed Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Jaime Jacob today met with transport leaders to hear the grievances of the sector.

This after representatives of transport groups made the courtesy call this morning to personally air their concerns to the LTFRB head.

“There is no specific agenda to discuss with you but we’re willing to listen what all of you have to say,” Jacob said.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

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[In the news] DFA launches ‘Philippine Treaties Online’ – www.philstar.com

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DFA launches ‘Philippine Treaties Online’ – philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines – Did you know that the Philippines has entered into at least 1,600 international agreements?

For people to be more aware of such treaties, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has launched the “Philippine Treaties Online” where all treaties entered into by the country since 1946 is published online.

“The launch of the Philippine Treaties Online is a significant achievement for the Department pursuant to the commitment of the Aquino Administration to “transparent, accountable and participatory governance,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said.

“It is best to make the terms of these agreements easily accessible to our people, as these agreements not only embody our country’s international commitments but, more importantly, contain immense opportunities for our people,” Del Rosario added.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

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[In the news] 58 human trafficking victims rescued in Sibugay, Tawi-tawi – InterAksyon.com

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58 human trafficking victims rescued in Sibugay, Tawi-tawi
Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com

MANILA – Fifty-eight potential victims of human trafficking were rescued by elements of the Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes in various operations in Zamboanga Sibugay and Tawi-Tawi last June, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported Sunday.

In a statement, the DILG said the victims, 41 of whom were women, were to be shipped off the Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Jordan, Lebanon, and Qatar.

Citing a report submitted to him by PCTC executive director Felizardo Serapio Jr., DILG secretary Jesse Robredo said 15 women were rescued in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay last June 22 while 26 women and 17 men were rescued in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi last June 17. Three of the victims were children.

Read full article @ www.interaksyon.com

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[In the news] IACAT warns airport personnel aiding human trafficking syndicates » Nation » News | Philippine News | philstar.com

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IACAT warns airport personnel aiding human trafficking syndicates » Nation » News | Philippine News | philstar.com.

MANILA, Philippines – The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) has vowed to intensify its campaign against airport officials and personnel facilitating or aiding operations of human trafficking syndicates.

In a statement, IACAT head and Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar warned that all airport personnel who would conspire with human trafficking syndicates would be relieved from government service and charged in court.

Read full article@  philstar.com

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[In the news] 2 trafficking victims rescued in Zamboanga City | Sun.Star

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2 trafficking victims rescued in Zamboanga City | Sun.Star.

By Bong Garcia
Friday, August 12, 2011

AN INTER-agency task force rescued two human trafficking victims and arrested two suspected illegal recruiters at the port of Zamboanga City, a police official said Friday.

Senior Inspector Gemma Luna, chief of the Zamboanga City Police Office’ (ZCPO) Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), said the victims were rescued around 6 a.m. Thursday at the local wharf.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph

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