Monday, February 18, 2008 (Philippines)

A FALL AT THE HORSE SHOW. Davao rider Noel Gonzales (left) was pulling away from the pack when he and his horse Starnile suddenly fell during the Class A-Oval category of The Governor’s Cup horse show and competition that ended yesterday in Mandaue City. Gonzales was brought to a hospital, while other riders helped the horse up (inset). (Sun.Star Photo/Amper Campaña) EFFORTS to curb human trafficking are hobbled by the paucity of successful prosecutions, amid the lack of cooperation from victims and the limited ability of authorities to rescue possible victims, especially those in transit at the country’s many seaports. Figures from the Department of Justice (DOJ) show that while 109 cases of human trafficking had been received and investigated from 2003-2005, only 22 cases had been filed. The National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Anti-Human Trafficking Division also reported that while it received 122 cases in 2006, it had recommended only three cases for prosecution, said University of the Philippines journalism professor Yvonne Chua. [full story]