VP Binay calls for intensified efforts to combat human trafficking in ‘Yolanda’-hit areas

Vice President Jejomar Binay (Photo courtesy of Binay’s official Facebook page)

MANILA — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said on Monday rescuing human trafficking victims from areas hit by super typhoon “Yolanda” should be prioritized as he called for intensified efforts to combat human trafficking.

“We have to be more vigilant. We will probably discuss this in our next meeting,” said the Vice President, who is also the Chairman Emeritus of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

The Vice President visited Saturday rescued human trafficking victims at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

“The main reason actually why I went there is to validate what I’ve heard. Many people from disasters areas ended getting not decent jobs,” Binay said.

He previously received anecdotal reports that women and children from areas severely hit by typhoon Yolanda were being trafficked in various nightclubs in Metro Manila.

The nine victims were rescued Thursday in Caloocan City. The rescue operation was conducted by the joint effort of the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD), DSWD, and IACAT.

The victims were all female, including three minors. Majority of them were from the province of Samar and were victims of the typhoon.