Gov. Edgar Chatto has expressed alarm over the reported rise of human trafficking cases citing advances in technology and the upsurge of tourists in the country that led to the sad realization that this kind of crime , as a consequence, has escalated. The incident in Ubay last October 22 which led to the entrapment of human traffickers resulting in the rescue of 12 victims, seven of whom are minors, confirmed that the problem is serious and that it’s high time to face reality. As this developed, Gov. Chatto has expressed interest in having an anti-human trafficking summit in Bohol to once and for all face the issue and confront its horrors.

“The human trafficking law (HTL) has not been fully explained to the community and we need to address this concern with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),” Chatto pointed out. Republic Act (RA) 9208, known as “The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” has instituted policies in the elimination of trafficking in persons especially women and children, thereby establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms for the support and protection of alleged victims. Human dignity is an inherent right as provided in the constitution and guarantees the respect of individual rights. Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima has formed the “DOJ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking” and has tasked Fernando Gubalane as Head of the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force. RSP Gubalane presented to members of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Friday the updates on the human trafficking situation in Region 7 and the activities his office has conducted to address this mounting threat to human and moral values.

The launching of the Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (MATA) with the Sangguniang Kabataan, the songwriting competition spearheaded by the A.C.T. (Against Child Trafficking), and the MOA signing between the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force and the various stakeholders of the Task Force on Criminality, all in Cebu, caught Gov. Chatto’s eye and he expressed his avid interest in having similar activities in Bohol. The Philippines is a signatory in international conventions like the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families, United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime Including its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and all other relevant and universally accepted human rights instruments. “We must give highest priority to the enactment of measures and the development of programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from any threat of violence and exploitation, and discourage servitude in any form,” Chatto said with utter determination. (jlv/EDCom)