US ambassador presses continued fight vs trafficking

CEBU City—US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. on Friday called for a continued fight against human trafficking in the Philippines.

“The US government will continue to work with all of you and with the Philippine government to combat this menace. We will continue to be your strong ally in this fight,” the ambassador said.

Thomas spoke during the signing of a covenant Friday by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Cebu Province at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

The covenant stressed the youth’s commitment in the fight against human trafficking, a move that pleased the ambassador.

“We all must join hands to fight this modern-day slavery. Every country in the world has this challenge that we must defeat… I am signifying my continuing advocacy in the aggressive campaign in trafficking in persons fight,” he said.

Anyone involved in human trafficking should be jailed— whether the suspect is an American or a Filipino, he stressed.

With the signing of the covenant, he challenged the youth to report anyone being trafficked.

The SK Cebu covenant specifically states that the youth, students, SK members and supporters in the province will conduct massive enlistment and awareness campaigns and organize watch groups in schools, churches and source communities.

It also aims to inform the public, report and prevent cases of trafficking, and protect and empower victims of human trafficking.

It also seeks to monitor and document the movements of traffickers, illegal recruiters and their cohorts.

During the covenant signing, the Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (Mata) in Cebu was also launched. The movement is supported by Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. and will enlist all SK members and officers in the all-out war against human trafficking.

The covenant signing was led by SK Cebu Federation President and Provincial Board Member Aladin Caminero and Association of Barangay Council President and Board Member Rimobapil Holganza. It was witnessed by about 1,000 SK officials and members.

The event is part of a nationwide youth campaign called Traffick Jam with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the opening of the America in 3D expo, Thomas also cited Cebu for its efforts against human trafficking.

“We feel Cebu is a model city because the clergy, the government and the police work together (in the campaign against human trafficking),” the ambassador said in a brief interview.

While he cited Cebu’s effort against human trafficking, Thomas said it was not enough reason to celebrate for as long as “one child is trafficked for labor; one little girl has to have sex with one man to feed her family.”

“We must make sure that people who do this (human trafficking), whether American or Filipino, are prosecuted successfully and put in jail for the rest of their lives,” the ambassador said.—With a report from Irene Sino-Cruz, Inquirer Visayas