ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 9, 2012) – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has formally launched in Zamboanga City its own “Council against Trafficking” in an effort to address the worsening problems of human trafficking in the southern Philippines.
The anti-human trafficking council was launched following a two-day seminar and workshop in Zamboanga City attended by representatives of the United Nations and Philippine government agencies.
ARMM officials said many of those who were victimized by human traffickers came from the Muslim region which is composed of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur, including the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
Lawyer Anwar Malang, the ARMM Executive Secretary, said the establishment of the Council against Trafficking would prevent trafficking in persons and prosecute and penalize those behind the illegal activities. It also undertakes measures to rehabilitate and reintegrate victims of human trafficking, he said.
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said the anti-human trafficking body would help the Aquino government in fighting human trafficking in Mindanao.
“We should not be the victims. Our people should not be the victims and our areas should not be the exit points. We are expecting that our people going out of the country will be properly documented,” Hataman said, adding they would also put up a center in Tawi-Tawi province near the Sabah border. (With a report from Myrna Jo Henry)
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