Resorts urged to help in fight vs traffickers
Authorities yesterday appealed to administrators of of beach resorts, hotels and inns in Cebu to keep an eye on foreigners bringing in unaccompanied minors to their establishments.
“Monitor them and ask your security guards or staff to talk to the children. Ask them if they’re related and if not then notify the police,” said Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Maria Theresa Casiño.
Casiño made the call in a seminar on human trafficking organized by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) at the Cebu provincial capitol social hall. The seminar was attended by close to 150 owners of tourism establishments as well as barangay and police officials from southern Cebu.
She said establishments must exercise vigilance against potential child sex traffickers and “break their silence” on the illegal acts, which oftentimes happen in far-flung towns.
“We’ve always seen this happen, but it seems like we’re turning a blind eye. Now, we have to act,” Casiño told resort owners and managers.
Local officials were also asked to facilitate the enactment of local ordinances against human trafficking to further strengthen the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 (RA 10364).
The Cebu Provincial Board last month approved an ordinance that would penalize resort owners who tolerate human trafficking activities in their establishments. The penalty under the ordinance include a fine of P5,000, one year imprisonment and cancellation of business permit.
Also discussed in the seminar was human trafficking through the Internet.
Senior Insp. Michael Virtudazo of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group said resort owners need to join the campaign against cybersex and cyberpornography.
He said cybercrime perpetrators deliberately choose to commit lewd acts in small resorts where security is more lax compared to those in cities.
Casiño told resort owners to instruct their staffers to be wary of foreign nationals who show up at the establishment alone and later have “joiners” entering their rooms.
When this happens, housekeeping staff must alert the front desk.
Engaging the minors in “small talk” is also an effective way to check if they are trafficking victims.
The establishment should immediately report suspicious activities to the police or barangay officials.
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