Starting January 15, 2013, text messages can be utilized to combat human trafficking. This is what the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Globe/Touch Mobile intend to accomplish with the launching of the SMS (short message service)-based Action Line 1343 Against Human Trafficking.
The text-based 1343 Action Line is aimed at responding to requests for assistance, inquiries and referrals involving suspected human trafficking activities. It is also deemed to fast-track the referral and follow-up of cases, efficiently direct immediate assistance to human trafficking victims and disseminate information on human trafficking through text messages.
Initially, the text-based 1343 Action Line on Human Trafficking established with the help of the Entertainment Gateway Group, is available to all Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers nationwide.
In sending anti-human trafficking concerns, Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers need to send texts using the following format: then send to 1343. All text messages sent will be charged P1.00 per 160 characters.
For further information on how to access the service, subscribers can text <1343(space)HELP> or <help(space)1343> then send to 1343. This feature is free of charge.
The necessity of coming up with a text-based campaign was brought about by the fact that the Philippines is the texting capital of the world, with around two billion text messages sent daily. It is hoped that by making 1343 Action Line available through texts, more cases of human trafficking will be reported and resolved.
The 1343 call-based Actionline against Human Trafficking began operations in March 2011. For 2012, a total of 7,762 calls were received from the Action Line involving 198 actual cases with 130 victims, 19 of which were minors.
The CFO, having been appointed as chair of the Advocacy and Communications Committee of the Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking (IACAT) and soon will become an official member agency of the Council upon the enactment of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010 into law, established the 24/7 SMS-based Action Line along with the previously initiated call-based 1343 Action Line and the campaign website - www.1343actionline.ph, to address the gap in services of the different government agencies and non-government organizations in assisting victims of human trafficking.
