Anti-human trafficking council launched in Antipolo

The local government of Antipolo City, in partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ), recently launched the Barangay Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) 2.0 as part of comprehensive efforts to tackle human trafficking and raise public awareness on the pros and cons of modern technology.

(Photo by Mayor Jun Ynares)

While information and communications technology (ICT) helps immensely in connecting people and disseminating information smoothly, Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares says it is also being used in crimes, especially youth trafficking.

Ynares noted that human trafficking now occurs primarily online, through social media. Victims do not know where to report the crime and are afraid or ashamed.

“In Antipolo, the Department of Justice was not guided by the Barangay Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking 2.0 because it does not apply to RA 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) & Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act (we have been fighting against human trafficking here in Antipolo for a long time, that is why we did not think twice when the Department of Justice asked if they could launch their Barangay Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking 2.0 with the aim of raising public awareness on RA 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act),” the mayor said.

Victims and their family members can also report their cases to the Office of the Public Prosecutor (CPO), the Department of Social Welfare (CSWD) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In addition to IACT 2.0, the city government also has the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).

Through this program, people who have been victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse online and commercially receive financial assistance and guidance to help them recover from their trauma.

“Each victim will receive livelihood worth P10,000 so that they can start over. This is in addition to the P10,000 we initially distributed to them,” Ynares said.

“Patuloy focuses on recovery and reintegration services in psychosocial, social and economic areas of victim-survivors. Tuloy-tuloy tries to support community-based systems and can deal with biktima din ng human trafficking in more ways (we continuously provide them with recovery and reintegration services to respond to the psychosocial, social and economic needs of victim-survivors. We also strengthen our community systems to prevent anyone from becoming a victim of human trafficking),” he added.