TUGUEGARAO CITY, March 20 (PIA) — The Regional Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT) of region 2 has intensified its campaign against the trafficking in persons through massive information dissemination regionwide.

In a press conference held at PIA conference hall, the members of the regional council reported that there were already 16 cases filed in court and one was already prosecuted last year.

Prosecutor Carolyn Deray said the council has became very active in implementing the trafficking in persons law in the region since its reactivation last year.

Police Inspector Alpiniano Dorado of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the police and other concerned agencies also integrated in their community immersions and dialogues topics on anti-trafficking law to educate the public especially in the barangay level.

“We received numerous reports on violation of the RA 9208, especially cases of recruiting minor women as guest relation officers in night spots in the different towns here,” Dorado said .

He stated that majority of the operations in line with trafficking cases were now filed in court and the victims were already sent back to their places and referred to proper authorities as well as agencies for interventions.

On the other hand, TESDA, OWWA, POEA, DSWD and DILG ensured interventions to help trafficked victims, especially on livelihood opportunities as well as skills trainings for their family needs.