THE Justice Department’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) has called on the public to help the government in stopping human trafficking.

In an advisory, IACAT urged the public to report possible human trafficking cases to the 1343 “Action line” if within Metro Manila; (02) 1343 for those outside Metro Manila.

Last month, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla urged Southeast Asian countries to work together “to put an end to human trafficking,” stressing that trafficking in persons (TIP) is an offense that “crosses borders.”

In his message before the 8th Manila International Dialogue on Human Trafficking (The Dialogues) held at the New Coast Hotel Manila, Remulla noted that “Southeast Asian counties share a TIP reality as the source, destination, and transit countries, and are connected as a region.”

The dialogue is a platform for continuing conversations on trafficking in persons (TIPs) participated in by various local and international organizations, government agencies, and foreign missions.

The dialogue was borne out of the “Manila Declaration to Enhance International Cooperation to Combat Trafficking in Persons,” signed by 19 foreign governments and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), as well as multilateral and other international and local civil society organizations.

Remulla emphasized that TIP is not only a crime but a major human rights violation that crosses borders “and it is our common and shared responsibility to end it.”

“If we national mandate holders can work together the way the Royal Malaysia Police, the Royal Thai Police, and the Philippine National Police proactively, harmoniously, and efficiently work together through available channels, both formal and informal, I am confident that we can make progress and put an end to human trafficking,” Remulla said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas