More trafficking cases filed in CV

CEBU, Philippines - More cases involving human trafficking have been filed in court in Region 7 last year 2011 compared to 2010.

Based on the statistics of the Office of the Regional State Prosecutor (RSP)-7, 36 charge sheets have been filed including preliminary investigations and inquest proceedings.

The data revealed that there were nine pending complaints before the Prosecutors’ Office from 2009 and 36 complaints filed in 2010.

The regional prosecutors’office covers the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor (OPP) in Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Siquijor and the city prosecutors offices in Bais, Bayawan, Bogo, Canlaon, Carcar, Danao, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Tagbilaran, Talisay, Tanjay and Toledo.

In 2010, OPP Cebu and OCP Dumaguete had the most number of cases filed before the court with nine cases, followed by OCP Cebu with seven cases while OCP Lapu-Lapu had five cases, OCP Mandaue with four and OCP Tagbilaran with two.

In 2011, 71 cases were filed before the court composed of preliminary investigations and inquest proceedings.

Based on the report, there were four pending complaints filed at the beginning of 2011 and 91 complaints filed in 2011. Four of these were dismissed.

For 2011, OCP Cebu has the most number of cases filed before the court with 24 cases followed by OCP Talisay with 16 cases and OCP Dumaguete with 11 cases.

OPP Cebu had eight cases, OCP Lapu-Lapu with seven, OCP Mandaue with three cases followed by OCP Naga and OCP Toledo with one case each.

Meanwhile, 90 percent of those charged in court were women, according to Regional State Prosecutor (RSP) Fernando Gubalane who also revealed that the victims were usually girls.

With the increase of cases filed in court, Gubalane said it was an indication that the community is aware of the existence of Republic Act 9208 also known as the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.

Gubalane sees this as a good sign.

He added that there was a proposal before the Congress to amend the law to name the offender. If this will be granted, Gubalane said this will discourage any person to commit the crime.

Section 6 of RA 9028 tackles confidentiality wherein the name and personal circumstances of the trafficked person or of the accused, or any other information tending to establish their identities and such circumstances or information shall not be disclosed to the public.

Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) lawyer Joann Pabriaga said the increase of the number of cases filed in court is good because it shows the people’s awareness in the community.

She said there were many lectures made in relation to human trafficking cases.

Meanwhile, following the arrest of an Australian national for alleged violation of the Anti-trafficking in Persons Law, the Lapu-Lapu City police as well as beach resorts and hotel owners have pledged to work hand in hand to prevent a repetition of the incident.

The Australian national was arrested and the Department of Social Welfare and Development took custody of two women who were with him at the time.

His arrest was attributed to the cooperation of the community with the police.

Some foreigners allegedly use some hotels in Lapu-Lapu City as a place to recruit women and children for sex. — (FREEMAN)