MCIAA joins fight vs human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines — The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) yesterday signed an agreement to strengthen their ties in the fight against human trafficking.

IACAT head and Cebu City Prosecutor Liceria Rabillas along with MCIAA General Manager Steve Dicdican signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino in line with yesterday's commemoration of "International Day Against Trafficking".

The MOA between IACAT and MCIAA elaborates on the role of the IACAT-MCIAA Task Force which will "be the primary law enforcement agency to undertake surveillance, apprehension, arrest, and investigate of suspected traffickers."

Since Cebu is one of the top tourism destinations and the second commercial city next to Manila, Rabillas explained that airports in general are "possible exit points" for human traffickers.

"That's why we have someone around the airport to profile, that's why we partner with airport agencies," Rabillas said.

The Department of Justice is also part of the task force and is responsible for intercepting human traffickers at the airport and file cases against them.

Dicdican said IACAT and MCIAA share the same passion and advocacy in waging war against human trafficking.

"On the side of the airport, this is part of our corporate governance, it is our responsibility," Dicdican said.

According to Rabillas, the challenge they continually face is that some victims go willingly even if they are aware that they are being trafficked.

She also said that most rescued victims do not give clear statements which leads to cases filed against traffickers being dismissed.

Dicdican assured to Rabillas in a speech that IACAT can count on them and that they will provide assistance for the organization's rescue and arrest operations.

According to the MOA, the MCIAA will provide office for the task force, to provide temporary shelter for the rescued victims, as well as to "identify and pinpoint areas of the airport where trafficking in person activities may be possible and strengthen security in the identified areas," according to the MOA.

"Our CCTV cameras are working. We can get records anytime. The concessionaires are also mandated to keep their (own) CCTV cameras. We have that covered," he said.

Rabillas said she was thankful MCIAA is working with them in order to address the issue of modern-day slavery.

"We cannot do this alone. We're lucky that MCIAA is willing to partner with us," she said. (FREEMAN)