DOJ EXPEDITES HUMAN SMUGGLING CASES
August 18, 2004
The DOJ has created a task force that will speed up the investigation and prosecution of trafficking of women and children.
Acting Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez and currently Chairperson of the Special Committee for the Protection of Children and Chair of the Secretariat for the Task Force on Anti-Trafficking of Women and Children, said the members of the task force are directed to conduct and terminate preliminary investigation of cases filed within sixty (60) days from the usual 90-day period.
In Department Order no. 326, Gutierrez designated Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Doris S. Alejo, State Prosecutors Rosalina Aquino, Paulino Gallegos and Aileen Marie Gutierrez to investigate and prosecute cases relative to violations of Republic Act No. 9208 otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking Act and other related laws.
Earlier, Gutierrez protested the US State Department report that placed the Philippines in “Tier 2 Watch List” despite all efforts to combat trafficking of women and children in the country. The US named the government’s failure due to weak implementation of measures on anti-trafficking and lack of progress in law enforcement, which allegedly were vital to meet the minimum standard in terms of prosecution/convictions of anti-trafficking cases.
Gutierrez countered the US deposition by saying the remark was surprising and ironic since the Philippines had just newly passed a law that would not only criminalize trafficking but also provide a comprehensive approach in addressing the problem.
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