CNN to feature Cebu's effort against human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines -  The best work in combating human trafficking in Cebu will be given global exposure through a documentary by CNN International under its Freedom Project.

The documentary is intended to introduce the global audience to the collaborative work of the Philippine government, Visayan Forum Foundation and International Justice Mission in combating sex trafficking here with a game-changing model of collaborative casework as demonstrated by the results found in Project Lantern.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn will be interviewed today by CNN crew to discuss her role in anti-human trafficking efforts in the Philippines.

CNN International editorial director Leif Coorlim, in a letter to Garcia, said they like to interview her because as governor and a champion of women’s rights, her insights in the success of anti-trafficking efforts in Cebu and her perspectives on future efforts on the part of government and law enforcement to combat human trafficking would be an invaluable addition to the project.

One of the functions of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Criminality Task Force, which Garcia created to bring all law enforcement and government agencies on board, is to curb human trafficking.

The task force also involved Sangguniang Kabataan in the barangay level since the victims are mostly minors and children. Garcia believes this effort has reached the attention of CNN International.

The governor said she will tell more on the Cebu experience in the fight against criminality in an on-camera interview today.     

Coorlim said they’ve identified Philippines as one of the countries that are doing some of the best works in combating the problem.

“We would like to highlight these efforts, particularly with regards to Project Lantern in Cebu, as a replicable model to the rest of the world,” Coorlim said in a letter to the governor.

In March 2007, IJM launched PL in Metro Cebu with the goal of demonstrating the effectiveness of a law enforcement-based strategy to reduce the prevalence of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The group partnered with local and regional government agencies and non-government organizations to reduce the availability of trafficked women and children for sexual exploitation in commercial sex establishments and street-based prostitution.

After partnering with local police, more than 220 trafficking victims were rescued and more than 100 suspected traffickers were charged in court in Metro Cebu. (FREEMAN)