Anti-trafficking network formally takes in PIA-XI as partner

By Carina L. Cayon

DAVAO CITY, July 20 (PIA) – The Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT-XI) has formally taken in today the Philippine Information Agency-XI (PIA-XI) as part of its partners in the RIACAT Integrated Action Network (RIACTION-XI).

RIACTION-XI represented by its Chair, Regional Prosecutor Antonio Arellano and PIA-XI headed by Regional Director Efren F. Elbanbuena  inked the partnership in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in time for the launching of the RIACTION-XI-Davao International Airport operating unit.

RIACTION-XI is a network organized by different government agencies and private organizations in Davao Region for the purpose of combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

PIA-XI becomes a permanent member of the network, and will be part of both the operations teams of the Law Enforcement Unit (LEU) and the Psycho-Social Unit (PSU), primarily making available public information teams whenever called upon by the heads of LEU and PSU.

Arellano said RIACTION-XI was created for a more proactive approach in effectively preventing TIP and for a more efficient prosecution of TIP cases in court.

As lead agency of IACAT, the Department of Justice has strengthened the implementation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking Law, following a poor performance of the country noted in 2005 to 2009 with only 23 convictions, and placing the country at tier 2 watch list, he said.

The poor performance of the region from 2003 to 2010 with only three convictions, has also challenged RIACAT-XI being at a prime entry and exit of Mindanao because of the presence of the Davao International Airport, Arellano stated.

“We’re doing something, but we are not very successful in trying to get out of the watch list,” he told the media at the special edition of the Kapihan sa PIA held after the launching of the RIACTION XI-DIA.

Aside from the creation of RIACTION-XI in beefing up the anti-trafficking program in the region, training and seminars have been conducted for the members, and assistance has been extended to the local government units in setting up their own programs up to the barangay level, he said.

As to the outcome of the network’s enhanced efforts, Arellano disclosed that there were two convictions in 2011, both transpired in Davao City.

On the same year, Arellano said RIACTION-XI and DOJ Anti-Trafficking Task Force have done lots of case build-up with 16 already filed and pending in court, noting that ten of the cases were from Davao City, one each from Digos City, Panabo City, Panabo and Compostela Valley and two from Davao del Sur.

For the protection program, he said rescue and interceptions have been done in June this year involving 111 TIP victims mostly in Davao City with 94 persons, Compostela Valley, six; Panabo City, 2; Sultan Kudarat, 10; Manila, 1; and Xiamen in China, 5.

Meanwhile, Arellano said they are planning to expand the network and to create clusters for each of the three main unit teams such as prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation and integration. 

Aside from PIA-XI, RIACTION-XI has recently taken in the LGUs of Davao Oriental province and Panabo City as members through signing of MOA.

Arellano said they have set schedules to cover all cities and municipalities in the region before the year ends. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)