PH leads drive to stop human traffic in ASEAN

By Chito Chavez, Manila Bulletin, May 23, 2017

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed confidence that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members would support the Philippines in fighting human trafficking in the region.

DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Catalino S. Cuy said his office is develop a systematic and harmonized plan to address the complex issues of trafficking in persons in Southeast Asia.

President Rodrigo Duterte, assisted by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Acting Secretary Catalino Cuy, ties a presidential streamer during the 115th Police Service Anniversary celebration at Camp Crame on August 17. (TOTO LOZANO/PPD / MANILA BULLETIN)
President Rodrigo Duterte and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Acting Secretary Catalino Cuy (Credits: Toto Lozano | PPD | Manila Bulletin)

“Trafficking of men, women and children, regardless of their nationality, is a grave human rights violation. Time is of the essence in saving victims and would-be victims of this formidable transnational crime that could be stopped through a concerted effort of ASEAN states,” he said.

The Philippines is currently holding chairmanship of the ASEAN, coinciding with the Association’s 50th founding anniversary this year. The country is also the Lead Shepherd on the issue of trafficking in persons.

Cuy said that the work plan was conceived through a series of ASEAN consultative workshops in order to effectively implement the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) and ASEAN Plan of Action (APA).

It is targeted to be endorsed to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in October and is anticipated to be recognized and noted by ASEAN Heads of States during the ASEAN Summit in November.

“The Philippines also proposed the strengthening of ACTIP through the establishment of a focal point system of national representatives. The objective of such a network would be to strengthen national and regional implementation of the ACTIP and to facilitate sharing of lessons and experiences between ASEAN Member States,” Cuy said.