::News & Updates
CHILD TRAFFICKING
IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY.
IT IS A VICIOUS CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN.
Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT) is a network of advocates against child trafficking
established in 2002. The nationwide campaign brings together all the active government agencies,
non-government organizations, national and international agencies determined to stop child trafficking.
GITIB, INC. has been an active member of PACT since 2004 until at present. GITIB, Inc. conducted
different forms of campaign like community education, people’s caravan, poster making contest,
hanging of streamers, distribution of IEC materials, lobbying with local Social Welfare and
Development Offices, radio guesting and giving of press releases, cultural presentations,
youth camp and school symposiums.
Most victims of the trafficking are women and children. From 2003-2006, the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) responded to 1449 cases of trafficking. Three hundred eleven of
these cases were children below 12 years old, while 649 victims were 13-17 years old. Out of the
total of 1449 trafficking cases, 1175 were girls and women. The statistics showed that children
and women trafficking are increasing and signified for the protection of the children and women
from the evil of trafficking. (Press statement of PACT/ASIA ACTS/ECPAT)
Generally, trafficking victims are children especially female with age ranging from 13 to 17 years
old; high school drop-out with parents working in the informal sector and with no regular monthly
income, for example poor farmer, carpenter, fish vendor, driver, domestic helper, laborers with
low income, etc. (Press statement of PACT/ASIA ACTS/ECPAT)
The victims of trafficking are in the worst conditions where they experience violence, abuse,
hunger, and harassment from employers and customers. They are deprived of rest, sleep and
leisure time. They do not get the promised income and even accumulate debts. They are drugged,
locked-up, punished for “offenses.” They suffer from poor health and risk acquiring
sexually-transmitted diseases. (Press statement of PACT/ASIA ACTS/ECPAT)
An important step in solving the complex crime is the ratification of Republic Act 9208,
the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The law declares that “the state shall give highest
priority to the enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote human dignity,
protect people from violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons and mitigate
pressure for involuntary migration and servitude of persons to ensure their recovery,
rehabilitation and reintegration.”(Press statement of PACT/ASIA ACTS/ECPAT)
GITIB, INC. and all children’s advocates are calling for the protection of children from any
abuses and violations of their rights. We are also calling the Philippine government to
prioritize the development plans for the welfare of the children.