Cops attend human trafficking info system training

ROXAS City -- The Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) recently introduced the Philippine System on Trafficking (PHILIST) to policemen from various local police stations in the province during a training at the Governor's Mansion in Lanot here.

"The system will serve as a database of trafficked persons in Capiz," said CFO's Information Technology expert Troy D. Agcanas during the demonstration.

He added that PHILIST is very easy to access and can generate data fast.

Based on records from the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO), the province has only one case of human trafficking.

Agcanas was joined by CFO's Task Force Against Human Trafficking (TFAHT) chief lawyer Golfa Myra R. Roma and Kimberly Joy Dizon during the training.

The province was among the chosen sites of the CFO's community education program on migration for 2010.

"Human trafficking is already considered a public crime, so it becomes easy for the law enforcement to prosecute persons involved," Roma said.

She also talked on the situation of human trafficking in the country.

Philippines has been identified as a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

The CFO official also noted that about 304 human trafficking cases have been prosecuted resulting in the conviction of 12 persons since the passage of Republic Act 9208 also known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

RA 9208 institutes government policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially women and children. It also establishes the necessary mechanisms to protect and support trafficked persons, and provides penalties for violations.(PIA/PN)