VICE PRES. JEJOMAR C. BINAY’S VIEW ON INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKING

VICE PRES. JEJOMAR C. BINAY’S VIEW ON INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKING

The Philippines ranked No. 1 in Asia, No. 3 in Asia Pacific, and No. 29 globally in terms of government response against human trafficking, according to the 2014 Global Slavery Index released by Walkfree Foundation.

While this reflects the gains we have achieved so far in securing the welfare of our people from the menace of modern slavery, much remains to be done. Unscrupulous groups and individuals continue to find ways to take advantage of others, especially the poor and those who were affected by disasters.People who are in dire financial need and children who have been orphaned by tragedies are easy targets for human traffickers.

Vice Pres. Binay calls on everyone to do their part in putting an end to human trafficking. Let us be one with Pope Francis in condemning “the growing scourge of man’s exploitation by man.” Many of our people, especially in the Visayas, have already fallen victims to nature’s wrath. Let us not subject them to further suffering by preying on and taking advantage of their weakness.

Likewise, I wish to assure our people that we will continue to find ways to improve upon our efforts to curb trafficking in persons in our country. /MP