‘Human traffickers go high-tech’

HUMAN traffickers are shifting to a modern way of committing the crime to avoid being caught by law enforcement agencies.

And trafficking victims are getting younger than those in the traditional areas where trafficking is being committed, such as in bars and streets, said lawyer John Tanagho, the International Justice Mission deputy field office director.

“In online exploitation, the perpetrators involve family members and this is happening in homes,” Tanagho told reporters during a forum.

Tanagho noted the decrease in the availability of children for commercial sex in Cebu.

“That does not mean it is totally gone, but I think it is due to the strong efforts of our law enforcement agencies. Strong law enforcement and prosecution truly reduced the prevalence of crimes like this,” he said.

Support

Tanagho emphasized the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation 7, Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking, Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, and the Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission.

“It is very important for the people in the community to report such a crime,” said Tanagho.

NBI 7 Director Ricardo Diaz said that his office has been preparing to fight the advanced modus of human traffickers by conducting seminars to enhance the capability of their agents and investigators on cybercrime.

“We are slowly going into the cyber battlefield by preparing our agents how to be Internet-savvy in the investigation of this crime,” Diaz said.

For his part, Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane said the number of complaints filed via inquest or regular preliminary investigation has reduced.

The prosecution offices recorded only 38 cases from January to June this year. Only 11 cases underwent inquest proceedings for the same period.

Convicted

Recently, Regional Trial Court Branch 17 Judge Marivic Daray convicted Janeth Bughao, Genevieve Badiang and Sheila Dedicatoria for trafficking more than 20 women in Cebu City three years ago.

Some of the victims were single mothers, who were reportedly forced to work in a bar to feed their children.

Some of those rescued by the NBI 7 were also former waitresses who decided to work in the bar after realizing their earnings as waitresses were not enough.

The NBI 7 filed complaints against Bughao, Badiang and Dedicatoria for violating Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, before the Office of the City Prosecutor. The prosecutors found enough evidence against the accused and filed cases against them.

Six witnesses were presented by the prosecution during the trial, including two NBI agents, a private complainant, two victims and a social worker from the Department of Social Welfare and Development 7.

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