TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 27 (PNA) — The provincial social welfare and development office (PSWDO) has created an anti-child trafficking team which will be deployed to various ports in Leyte.
PSWDO-Leyte Provincial Director Eldith Malatbalat said that the creation of the team aims to reduce the number of child trafficking cases in the province.
Malatbalat said that port areas are priority for the team’s monitoring since syndicates involved in child trafficking use these as their most convenient exit point port for illegal activities.
The official reported some apprehensions of child traffickers in port areas of Bato, Hilongos, Baybay, Palompon and Isabel.
Fewer cases have been reported in Ormoc port due to strict rules on transporting minors.
“The creation of Anti-Child Trafficking Team was one of the plans of Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla in order to reduce the occurrence of child trafficking cases in the province,” Malabalat said.
“We expect that child traffickers will eventually stop their operations in the province because the anti-child trafficking will do all means to prevent cases,” she added.
Meanwhile, the PSWDO asked the Philippine National Police to strengthen their campaign against child trafficking. (PNA)