The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) commemorated the International Day Against Trafficking. This highlighted the gains achieved by the concerted efforts of the different member agencies of IACAT and pay tribute to the individual heroes that spearhead the fight against human trafficking.
During the past year, the government's primary anti-human trafficking body has taken considerable gains in its effort to end modern day slavery. The subsequent sections highlight the major accomplishments of IACAT in the area of prosecution, protection and prevention of human trafficking activities in the Philippines and abroad.
At the aforementioned happening, individuals from both the public and private sectors gave recognition in their contribution in the Philippine's fight against human trafficking. Similarly, the IACAT strategic action plan, forced labor manual, and civil forfeiture handbook on human trafficking cases was also be launched.
Prosecution
The IACAT Secretariat has monitored and reported a total of One Thousand Seven Hundred Eleven (1,711) cases in the Regional Trial Courts and in the Prosecutors level. To date, eighty one (81) convictions for offenses under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act involving one hundred (100) persons was obtained since the inception of the law. Two-thirds of these convictions were obtained in the twenty-eight months of President Aquino's administration.
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, IACAT Chair, emphasized importance of the anti-corruption program of the Government to the anti-trafficking effort, especially the dismissal of government officers found to be complicit in trafficking.
Prevention
Since 2011, the agents of the Bureau of Immigrations, one of the member agencies of IACAT, have undertaken the strict inspection of travel, employment, and financial documents of outgoing passengers in airports and sea ports to identify and protect trafficking victims in transit, while duly respecting their constitutional and human rights. Records from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport show that seven hundred and thirty-six (736) persons were identified and prevented from becoming victims of trafficking from 2011-2012.
"This achievement shows the high level of commitment of our partners in government and private sectors in the war against human trafficking and we are optimistic that this will be recognized by our partner-nations, as well, in the global campaign for its eradication," said Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente B. Salazar, in-charge of the day-to-day operations of IACAT.
Protection
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its agencies have consistently improved in the protection of rescued victims of human trafficking. Through the invaluable support of the DSWD and the generous assistance of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the IACAT has begun to build centers to provide recovered victims with intermediate treatment and counseling facilities.
Salazar said in an earlier statement that the "mandate of IACAT doesn't stop in putting the criminal elements behind bar. It must go beyond that and on to helping victims recover their human dignity and rebuild their lives."
The IACAT, its member agencies, and its partner organizations similarly assisted in the processing of Nine Hundred Twenty (920) Overseas Filipino Workers repatriated from conflict-ridden Syria. Each of these programs has been made possible through an expansive alliance of government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Forthcoming Gains
IACAT has also taken steps to develop its partnerships with other major players within the country and even outside its borders. "The 'inter-agency approach' that we have installed in the Philippines represents not only the power of partnership and collaboration with both the public and private sector but also the determination and collective will of the various stakeholders to overcome obstacles in combating modern day slavery," said Salazar.
A recent signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the IACAT and the Philippine Ports Authority as well as the deepening participation of the Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat in the programs of the IACAT underscores this year's gains. Another forthcoming gain is the expansion on IACAT's cooperation with foreign governments, most notably with the Kingdom of Netherlands. The National Bureau of Investigation conducted a joint operation on November 30, 2012 against a group suspected of committing transnational trafficking and other crimes in Amsterdam and Manila.
"The Philippines is deeply committed to combating and eradicating trafficking in persons, which is rightly condemned by the law of nations and the conscience of humanity," De Lima concluded.
Source:http://www.iacat.net/index.php/83-iacat-to-honor-international-day-against-trafficking
