International NGO to launch anti-trafficking project in Samar

Calbayog City (May 13) -- The International Justice Mission (IJM), an international NGO is set to launch Samar Anti-Trafficking Project on May 21, 2009 in Calbayog City.

In an interview with Project Coordinator Janette Bragais-Borac, she said that the US State Department has awarded them a grant to create a satellite office in Samar (Calbayog City) to combat child sex trafficking.

Borac added that she feels honoured to be of service to Samarnons.

The grand event will start with a motorcade at 8:00 am.

Expected visitors will come from the US Embassy and IJM's partners, including officials of the local government unit of Calbayog City, Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, local barangay officials and members of the local protestant and Catholic churches.

Based in an account, On March 29, 2009, IJM proved its readiness to respond to an emergency when the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer(MSWDO) of Gandara and the local police intercepted three minors and two adults bound for Manila.

IJM staff immediately tended to the aftercare of the victims and transported them to a government shelter.

The two adults who brought the minors were charged with trafficking.

Samar's field office aims to support IJM's field offices in Cebu and Manila by providing aftercare to trafficked children, reintegrate them with their families in the province.

IJM also aims to prevent the recruitment of children in Samar for prostitution in Manila.

In the international scene, IJM is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppressions.

IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victims rescue and aftercare and to prosecute perpetrators and promote a functioning justice system.

The Arroyo administration has meanwhile opened in 2008, Bahay Silungan sa Paliparan (Shelter at the Airport) located along Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Chapel Road in Parañaque City.

The shelter with Visayan Forum is aimed to show the government's commitment to curb human trafficking which continues to prey on unsuspecting and trusting Filipinos, especially women and children. (Ninfa B Quirante / PIA Samar)