Anti-human trafficking group launch set on July 20

A GROUP against trafficking in persons (TIP) will formally launch their campaign tomorrow, Friday, at the Davao International Airport (DIA).

In a phone call, Regional Prosecutor Antonio Arellano told Sun.Star Davao that the creation of the Regional Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking-Integrated Action Network-DIA (Riaction-DIA) will be officially launched as a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing with all the members of the agency will be held Friday.

In an earlier interview, Arellano said one of the objectives of creating the team is to prevent or at least help minimize the TIP incidents in the airport.

Arellano said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will be the honorable guest speaker for the event.

In an orientation seminar previously held in Grand Regal Hotel on November 25, 2011, the group mulled of putting up a help desk at the DIA to cater potential trafficking victims.

The team also would like to explore possibility of incorporating the Riaction 11-DIA's help desk to the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency (POEA)'s help desk.

The Riaction-DIA is composed of members of the law enforcement unit (LEU) and psycho-social unit (PSE).

The Office of the Regional Prosecutor's task to prosecute is under the LEU, together with the other agencies such as Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, among others.

The task to counsel the victims and give alternatives among them is under the psycho-social unit, which includes Department of Social Welfare development, and Dole, among others. (ANC)