Mabilog to form TF on human trafficking
A task force on anti-trafficking against persons will soon be created by the Iloilo City government to address reported cases of human trafficking in the city.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he was alarmed over the report that minors from Cebu City who are supposed to work in the city have been intercepted in Brgy. Tanza Esperanza and Fort San Pedro.
City Social Welfare head Alfredo Villanueva has already come up with the draft of a proposed executive order creating the said task force, he said.
Mabilog said he will coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the policemen on what to do to counter this kind of problem.
The city government will also ask the support of barangay leaders to respond to the concern on trafficking of persons.
Last month, the CSWDO, Task Force Anti-Prostitution and the 6th Regional Maritime Office, in various occasions, rescued and intercepted the alleged trafficking victims from Cebu.
Mabilog said he hopes these responses will discourage traffickers from bringing more victims to Iloilo City.
What is needed is “vigilance to discourage traffickers” and the indictment of perpetrators, he said.
“We will ask the cooperation and support of barangay officials because they know what is happening in their respective jurisdictions,” he said.*
