House probe on women trafficking in disaster-hit areas set

MANILA, Philippines - The House committees on women and gender equality, and welfare of children are set to conduct an inquiry into reports of rampant trafficking of women in disaster-stricken areas.

The congressional probe was prompted by House Resolution 780 filed by Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmerenciana de Jesus of the Gabriela Women’s Party, who said not only vulnerable women, but also children have reportedly fallen prey to human traffickers who prowl calamity-hit areas, particularly in evacuation or temporary shelters.

“Almost the entire population of the affected area of Typhoon Yolanda, especially women and children, remain vulnerable to unscrupulous organized criminals, among them human traffickers preying on the victims’ deplorable conditions,” Ilagan said.

Despite warnings by different international and local groups that human trafficking cases might flourish after Yolanda, Ilagan said there are still no anti-trafficking safeguards for women and children in disaster-stricken areas.

She said there was no awareness campaign, no warning from the local government units and other responsible government institutions against syndicates and individuals who will exploit survivors of calamities and disasters and traffic people for slavery or prostitution.

The two lawmakers also hit what they called the government’s prolonged neglect of nearly 30,000 families in Zamboanga City, some of whom are now being forced into prostitution after languishing in cramped evacuation centers in the past seven months.

De Jesus cited reports that the Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex, where 2,000 families are housed, is supposedly notorious for the trafficking of girls and women.

Transactions are made via text messaging, and the prostitution services are done in tents, she said.

She raised alarm over reports that sexually transmitted infections have started to afflict minors, yet the local health office only gave them some treatments, condoms and lectures about the evils of prostitution.

“This is a palliative band aid solution that will not stop women from falling victims to sex trafficking.”