De Lima Airs Stern Warning vs Human Trafficking Syndicates
MANILA – Human trafficking syndicates beware as the Philippine government is determined to eliminate groups preying on children, women and overseas-bound workers.
“The government has doubled both its resources and manpower and is set to surpass its achievements in the war against human trafficking,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said in a statement.
De Lima issued the stern warning at the First International Dialogue on Human Trafficking attended by more than a hundred delegates from the diplomatic community and national prosecution and law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations and private sector partners.
Organized by the Philippine Interagency Council Against Trafficking (1ACAT) in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, De Lima lauded the conference delegates “for refusing to look away and instead identifying more decisive steps to combat this global menace”.
“When those who can do something to stop human trafficking look away, the dreams of the victims of this crime die,” she said.
De Lima said Filipinos victimized by human trafficking syndicates are vulnerable because they are willing to pursue their dreams at whatever cost.
She also thanked the conference delegates for adopting the Manila Declaration which recognized “the urgent need for a comprehensive international approach to prevent and combat human trafficking”.