DESPITE existing laws against human trafficking, prostitution remains rampant in Region 1, according to Assistant Prosecutor Roderick Aquino from the Department of Justice – Office of the City Prosecutor in La Union.

He said 189 prostitution cases were filed from January to June this year, but no breakdown of the data per province was supplied.

Other trafficking cases were recorded, including seven cases of forced labor, one case each of pornography and slavery, and six cases of cybersex trafficking.

Marie Angela Gopalan, chairperson of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking-Child Pornography-Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-CP-VAWC) and Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 1, said that deception is a primary cause of human trafficking.

Under Republic Act 9208, known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, those found guilty of trafficking can face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to P2 million. (Ahikam Pasion)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments