Cash rewards await tipsters in trafficking case

COMMUNITY vigilance like that shown by the maritime police that resulted in the rescue of 12 minors and three young women in the Cebu City port area gives “hopeful stories of rescue” for human trafficking victims.

The International Justice Mission (IJM) reiterated this point amid confirmation by Capitol officials that tipsters who provided information that led to the arrest of the mother-daughter team responsible for transporting the women to Cebu City will be rewarded.

“It is a big challenge but can be curbed and even eliminated especially by effective enforcement of the law,” said Andrey Sawchencko, national director of IJM Philippines.

He said law enforcement should be active in weeding out and arresting cybersex operators.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale told reporters during the Bonga Festival of Sibonga town yesterday noon that she asked Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to include those people who gave tips that led to the rescue of the 15 minors from Bohol and Ormoc City.

No amount was given. The Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) announced that it will intensify its campaign against human trafficking through the tipster program.

Cordova officials also said livelihood opportunities are being offered to discourage the growth of cybersex operators.

Sawchencko said victims of trafficking have no choice but to expose themselves to exploitation in order to survive.

Last Monday, the maritime police rescued three girls and two male youths who were about to leave Cebu for a job in Manila.

They were held by a seaport security guard after they failed to present any permit to travel from their parents.

The group, all of whom are residents of barangay Kabitoonan in Toledo City, couldn’t present any authorization from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The group later claimed to have been recruited to work as housemaids and restaurant attendants in Manila.

Their recruiter purportedly left for Manila through the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIAA). They agreed to meet at the Manila South Harbor yesterday.

But the plan got dismantled when they were held by the police.

Last Friday, the maritime police also rescued 12 girls and three women who were recruited by two women to work in an Internet cafe in Pampanga.

Their recruiters—a 41-year-old woman and her 22-year-old daughter—got arrested. A complaint for violating Republic Act 9208 or the the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 was filed against them before the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office.

Senior Insp. Joselito Blazo, head of the 701st Maritime police precinct, said trafficking is expected to intensify during the holidays.

“People go to Manila because they think there is an opportunity to earn money there,” he said. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus