KRISTINE CATAMORA & ANGEL NONOL/DSSC Intern
THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is intensifying its campaign against human trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) as the region joins the observance of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month this July.
The observance, mandated under Proclamation No. 11 and led by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, culminates globally with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30.
“Our activity is aligned with our advocacy campaign regarding RA 11930, or the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children law,” said Fretzie Ann F. Pallado, DSWD XI focal person on trafficking in persons.
DSWD XI has partnered with local government units, Local Councils for the Protection of Children, and Local Committees on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children for a series of forums and orientations on the penalties and features of trafficking and OSAEC.
Among these is “Click Wisely, Live Safely,” a youth orientation on trafficking in persons, OSAEC, child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and digital responsible citizenship set for July 31, expected to draw around 250 student participants from partner schools.
Pallado said the region has recorded active OSAEC cases this year, including two rescue operations in Davao City that freed four male victims.
“The victims were victimized by members of the LGBTQ+ community, friends and acquaintances of theirs,” she said.
The suspects are facing charges under RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), RA 11930, and RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), with the cases still pending in court. The rescued victims are now under DSWD custody.
“They receive basic assistance including psychosocial and mental health support, and we also monitor their families,” Pallado said.
A separate rescue in Davao del Sur recovered nine victims-survivors, all minors.
“The youngest was one year old, and the eldest was 17 years old, so all nine victims were minors,” Pallado said, adding that the victims were exploited by their cousins, aged 24 and 22, while another minor was victimized by her own mother.
To strengthen enforcement of the law, Pallado said DSWD XI continues to conduct advocacy campaigns in coordination with LCPCs, LCAT-VAWCs, and local communities.
“It’s better to go barangay by barangay through social workers to orient people on what the red flags are online,” she said, adding that the agency also conducts orientations for parents on what a responsible parent should do.
