Police on guard vs. human trafficking in typhoon-hit areas in EV

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
November 27, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas has called on the support of the public by reporting to authorities suspected cases of human trafficking in Tacloban City and other areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

The region's top police official assured the presence of Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) investigators in Police Assistance Centers (PAC) established at the airport, seaports and evacuation centers to assist and investigate suspected trafficking-in-person (TIP) cases.

Acting regional director Police Chief Supt. Henry Losañes of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) directed policemen manning PACs to closely watch and monitor passengers boarding C-130s, navy vessels and passenger buses following the arrest Monday afternoon of two men suspected to be involved in human trafficking activities and the rescue of a 16-year old teenage girl at the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport who were about to board the air force plane.

“Some unscrupulous individuals may take advantage of the vulnerability of typhoon victims desperate for jobs and livelihood and are prone to traffickers and illegal recruiters”, Losañes said.

He added that his office will be coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, airport authorities, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy on the matter.

For the last two weeks, people have been lining-up for free C-130 ride at the DZR airport and navy vessel ride at the Tacloban port bound for Cebu and Manila.

The police official informed that aside from the two transport terminals, PACs were also established at Ormoc City and Allen ports in Northern Samar and bus terminals in major cities in the region.

Assistance centers were also established in two major evacuation centers in Tacloban City while a team from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center has been visiting evacuation centers to conduct orientation and awareness campaign to evacuees on the dire consequences of human trafficking.

Eastern Visayas is the hardest hit region by the super typhoon that flattened its regional capital Tacloban City and neighboring towns in Leyte province, including some areas in Eastern Samar.