BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, Dec. 8 (PNA) — In an effort to strengthen the campaign against human trafficking here, the Local Government Unit of Malay thru its Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) and Municipal Tourism Operation Office (MTOO) conducted a one-day orientation on the salient provisions of Republic Act 10634 or the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.
The orientation held December 7, was attended by members of the Local Council on Anti-Human Trafficking (LCAT), composed of representatives from the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC), Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Maritime Group, Tourism Regulatory Enforcement Unit, Malay PNP, Malay Tourism Office, Malay Auxiliary Police, MSWDO-Boracay and Barangay Officials of Manocmanoc and Yapak.
Aside from the anti-human trafficking act, the orientation also tackled RA 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Act and RA 9262 or the Anti-Violation against Women and Child Law.
MSWDO-Malay data showed that there were three Trafficking in Person (TIP) cases recorded as of November this year, which all involved minors.
Last year, there were 36 cases recorded of which, 27 are adults and nine involved minors.
For VAWC cases, 49 were recorded this year – 33 economic abuse, 13 physical abuse and three psychological abuse.
It is higher compared to 41 VAWC cases recorded last year.
Of the 41, 25 are economic abuse, nine psychological abuse and seven physical abuse.
Madel Tayco-Schönenberger of MSWDO-Malay said due to some hindrance like the lack of live birth/birth certificate of trafficked victim and the resistance of the family members of the trafficked victims in cooperating with authorities, some cases are not investigated.
Meanwhile, aside from Schönenberger, Fiscal Chris Gonzales of the Aklan Provincial Prosecutors Office and Nova Regalario, Community Development Officer of ECPAT-Philippines also served as resource speakers during the event. (PNA)