Iconic fighters save kids from sex traffickers

MANILA, Philippines - Following a two-year CNN investigation, the two-hour documentary The Fighters chronicles Philippine human rights pioneer Cecilia Flores-Oebanda in her journey to protect children from the sex trade and convince the Philippines’ biggest star, Manny Pacquiao, to join her as a fighter in the battle against modern-day slavery.

CNN correspondent Leif Coorlim narrates this Freedom Project documentary airing May 17 and 18. CNN spent two years with exclusive access to activist Cecila Flores-Oebanda, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, and anti-trafficking police in the Philippines.

Oebanda has become the face of the Philippines’ anti-trafficking movement — a woman who has the ear of presidents, royalty and philanthropists around the globe. Along the way she persuaded the biggest name in the Philippines — boxing legend Pacquiao — to join her fight. After two years of reporting in the Philippines — from going on police raids in Manila to going undercover in search of human trafficking in remote provinces — CNN can now tell their story.
The Fighters airs Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m.