DOJ exec vows to improve policies versus human trafficking

CLARK FREEPORT – An executive of the Justice Department has assured that the inter-agency council against human trafficking will improve its policies on the said “crime against humanity.”

Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Juvy Ramirez–Manwong made the assurance during the office blessing of the Clark International Airport Task Force Anti-Trafficking (CIAFAT) and signing of a Memorandum Agreement (MOA) for iFight Trafficking Movement on March 23 at Clark airport’s domestic arrival area here.

“As to the part if the government, please be assured that we are with you in this. The InterAgency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) as the government’s frontline in this fight will continue to improve its polices and will be hand in hand with you as we travel the road to a world free of slavery and the menace of human trafficking,” the DOJ official said.

Manwong also urged stakeholders to become channels of awareness and take part in the fight against human trafficking.

“We have to work together. Let us not wait that our own children become victims to this [human trafficking] abominable crime before we act,” said Manwong.

In Philippines, the Global Slavery Index data shows that as of 2017, more than 401,000 Filipinos are victims of human trafficking according to Manwong.

Studies show that approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women, and a fifth are minors. According to UNICEF every two minutes a child is being prepared for sexual exploitation and 1.2 million children alone are being trafficked every year, the DOJ executive furthered.

“These are not just numbers, not just statics, those are humans; desecrated, violated and scorned by their fellow humans,” she pointed out.

The DOJ exec also lauded the collaborative partners for “coming together for a noble cause.” “We are not for sale; nobody should ever be,” said Manwong in the last line of her inspirational message.

Present during the MOA signing were Clark International Airport headed by its acting President-CEO Alexander S. Cauguiran, the Visayan Forum Foundation headed by its founder and executive director Ma. Cecillia Flores –Oebanda, proponent of iFight Movement which raises awareness to end human trafficking and modern slavery, Local Government of Angeles and other partner agencies.

Also present during event were representatives from the regional offices of Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Overseas Employees Administration, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, among others.