Anti-human trafficking heroes given recognition today at Palace

MANILA, Philippines - The dedicated movers and shakers behind the country’s removal from the US State Department’s Global Human Trafficking watch-list index will be given recognition today at Rizal Hall in Malacañang by President Aquino.

In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President made special mention of the significant gains of the country’s anti-human trafficking teams that erased the possibility of the country losing $780 million in non – humanitarian and non-trade related loans from the United States. 

He also cited the very substantial increase in the number of convictions of human traffickers compared to the dismal performance of the anti-trafficking teams of the past government.

“And here is another example of positive change in law enforcement. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act was signed in 2003. Unfortunately, because the government did not properly implement it, only 29 individuals were convicted in a period of seven years. In just one year, we have surpassed that number by successfully convicting 31 human traffickers,” Aquino said.

Zamboanga City Assistant City Prosecutor Darlene Pajarito, earlier named as a global hero against human trafficking by the United States, will also receive a presidential citation for having the most number of successfully prosecuted and convicted human trafficking offenders.

Likewise to be recognized for their tireless efforts and unflinching dedication to the anti-human trafficking advocacy are; End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT) – Philippines, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific (CATW-AP), International Justice Mission (IJM), Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. (VFFI), former Bureau of Immigration officer-in-charge Ronaldo P. Ledesma, BI legal head Arvin Cesar G. Santos, BI intelligence head Maria Antonette B. Mangrobang, Ninoy Aquino International Airport general manager Jose Angelo A. Honrado, National Inter-Agency Task Force Against Trafficking (NIATFAT), Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RAHTTF-7) of Cebu City, Sea Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (SBATTF) of Zamboanga City, Anti-Human Trafficking Division of the National Bureau of Immigration (NBI-AHTRAD), Dante B. Bonoan NBI –AHTRAD chief, Court Administrator Midas Marquez and Chief Justice Renato Corona of the Supreme Court (SC).

Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) said the success of the government in the anti-trafficking campaign must also be credited to the public private partnerships forged out of a genuine concern for the country and its citizens.

“To the rest of the nameless warriors in the fight against the evils of human trafficking, we salute you for your unwavering crusade to eradicate human trafficking even without recognition,” Salazar said.