MANILA, March 10 — The Manila Port Anti-Trafficking Task Force (MPATTF) successfully resolved 73 human trafficking cases between January 2009 and January this year, according to a report submitted to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Oscar M. Sevilla.
The MPATTF is composed of the PPA through its Port Police Division, the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. (VFFI), various shipping lines, port operators and other concerned government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Justice, among others.
The ports serve as entry points for trafficked women and children so the PPA is fully supporting the initiatives of the team in order to minimize, if not totally eliminate this illegal activity in the ports.
For years now, several cases have been filed and from these cases, one suspect was already convicted for violation of Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act.
The PPA's halfway houses are being managed by VFFI which also serves as the agency's partner in combating human trafficking activities in the ports.
The halfway houses likewise serve as temporary shelters for the women and children who, for whatever reasons, are stranded in the ports.
Task force meetings, which are spearheaded by the VFFI, are held regularly to update the members on the various issues and concerns pertaining to the team’s plans and projects as well as share and discuss the anti-trafficking initiatives being undertaken by each member agency.
During the regular task force meeting held last Feb. 19, VFFI reminded the task force members to be extra vigilant and to exert more effort in their campaign for the prevention of human trafficking. (PNA) scs/PFN