AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reiterated the government’s commitment to fight human trafficking.
Assistant Secretary Juvy Ramirez–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,” Manwong said during the office blessing of the Clark International Airport Task Force Anti-Trafficking (CIAFAT) and signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for iFight Trafficking Movement on March 23 at the Clark Airport.
“As to the part of the government, please be assured that we are with you in this. The Inter-Agency 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,” Manwong said.
The Global Slavery Index data shows that as of 2017, more than 401,000 Filipinos have fallen victims to human trafficking, according to Manwong.
Eight out of 10 victims, or 80 percent, are women while one in five is a minor.
Citing data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), Manwong said a child is being prepared for sexual exploitation every two minutes and 1.2 million children are being trafficked every year.
“These are not just numbers, not just statistics. Those are humans - desecrated, violated and scorned by their fellow humans,” she pointed out.
The DOJ exec lauded the collaborative partners for “coming together for a noble cause.”
Among those present during the MOA signing were Clark International Airport acting president-CEO Alexander S. Cauguiran and Visayan Forum Foundation founder and executive director Ma. Cecilia Flores–Oebanda.
The proponent of iFight Movement, which aims to raise awareness on human trafficking and modern slavery, as well as representatives of Angeles City and partner agencies were also in attendance.