𝗚𝗼𝘃. 𝗣𝗮𝗺: 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘃𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, schools, law enforcement, and communities to combat human trafficking, warning that traffickers are increasingly using social media and other digital platforms to exploit victims.
“Your presence today sends a powerful message—that in Cebu, we refuse to turn a blind eye to human trafficking. We refuse to allow exploitation to become someone else’s problem. And we refuse to let fear silence the voices of those who need us the most,” Gov. Baricuatro said during the Regional Summit to End Human Trafficking at a hotel in Cebu City on Wednesday, July 15.
The governor said the fight against human trafficking has become more complex.
“Traffickers no longer operate only in the streets. They hide behind social media accounts and digital platforms. That is why our response must also evolve,” she said.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
During a sideline interview, Gov. Baricuatro also issued a warning to traffickers operating in the province saying, “Bantay lang mo kay gukuron mo namo.”
With the theme “Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusin ang Human Trafficking Ngayon!”, the summit gathered representatives from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Desks, Local Councils for the Protection of Children, Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs), and civil society organizations.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero said addressing human trafficking requires a whole-of-society approach.
Representing the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Marirose D. Lopez urged participants to sustain collaboration in protecting vulnerable sectors, while Provincial Board Member Lakambini G. Reluya stressed that every trafficking case represents a human life deserving of justice, dignity and hope. Also present during the event was Second District Board Member Stanley Caminero.
During the panel discussion, Atty. Therese Mina-Salomon of the International Justice Mission (IJM) said Cebu Province remains a hotspot for trafficking in persons and for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) cases.
Data presented by IJM showed that from 2011 to July 2026, Cebu recorded 276 survivors, 147 restored survivors, 75 suspects arrested and 52 convicted perpetrators.
The data also showed that victims are typically around 11 years old. About 86 percent are female and 14 percent are male, while traffickers are often relatives or people known to the victims.
Panelists recommended stronger IACAT and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) mechanisms, enhanced training for social workers and law enforcers, and wider community education to help identify and report suspected trafficking cases.
Check this also: Cebu Sends Mental Health Team to Mindanao Quake Areas After ₱35M Aid Release
