Cebu records most trafficking convictions

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is leading nationwide in terms of human trafficking convictions for 2005 to 2013, recent data released by an anti-human trafficking overseeing office showed.

Posted on January 14 via the official website of Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Cebu Province is leading in numbers compared to other areas in the country.

The total convictions reached 118 with 137 persons convicted nationwide.

One of the active non-government organizations helping authorities in curbing human trafficking in Cebu is the International Justice Mission (IJM) which expressed glee over Cebu's conviction.

"The convictions in Cebu show that justice is possible for victims of trafficking. Each was achieved by the dedication and partnerships of government and NGOs, and we are proud to have played a supporting role. But, they are just the tip of the ice berg--PNP, NBI and DOJ have many more strong cases moving forward," said Andrey Sawchenko, IJM Philippines national director and Cebu field office director.

In Cebu province alone, a total of 21 convictions with 20 persons convicted were recorded over the period 2005 to 2010.

Cebu City has a total of 13, followed by Lapu-Lapu City with only two while Mandaue City and Toledo both have one for the same period.

Of these, 16 convicted violators got life imprisonment, seven persons sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment and one with 12 to 14 years and eight months imprisonment under the rules on juveniles.

Qualified trafficking was committed 12 times, being the top committed human trafficking crime.

This was followed by trafficking in persons (TIP) with four convicted violators, and qualified TIP with one.

Fines ruled by the court to these convicted traffickers ranged from P1 million to P5 million.

Meanwhile, the cities of Manila and Quezon tied with 12 convictions with the former having 21 persons convicted while the latter has 14 persons under the same data for the period 2005 up to 2013. — (FREEMAN)