PH gov’t vows intensified fight vs human trafficking

Amid the temporary reprieve given by the Indonesian government to convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso, the Philippine government has said it is intensifying its information drive to curb human and drug trafficking activities especially among overseas Filipinos workers (OFW).

READ: Veloso execution stopped

“Government is intensifying information and education efforts to heighten awareness on the perils of posed by human and drug trafficking activities, and to impress upon them the importance of knowing and complying with laws of countries where they are working,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

Coloma said the government is also beefing up its information efforts in the country’s regions and provinces.

“Such efforts are also being conducted in the country’s regions and provinces so that awareness may be attained even while in the country and among the workers’ families,” he said.

According to the data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a total 807 Filipinos are in detention worldwide with 41 people awaiting their execution.

READ: Veloso’s case a ‘painful reminder’ of PH’s human trafficking woes

The intensified campaign of the government came after the execution of Veloso via firing squad in Indonesia was stopped on the eleventh hour.

Appealing to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, President Benigno Aquino III has said that Veloso was a victim of human trafficking and would serve as an important witness against those who duped her into transporting drugs. IDL

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