IACAT-OPG-OSG ink MOA, create Legal Task Force to institutionalize fight vs trafficking, child exploitation

07 October 2024

The Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) with the support of the International Justice Mission (IJM) spearheaded the establishment of an alliance among IACAT, Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) and Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) aimed to systemize the government's approach in dealing with Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) cases.

This, after a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was formally signed yesterday, 07 October in Makati City by IACAT Undersecretary-in-Charge Nicholas Felix L. Ty, Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) Thomas Laragan and OIC-Prosecutor General (PG) Richard Anthony D. Fadullon, among others, creating the IACAT-OPG-OSG Legal Task Force.

The special legal team aims to institutionalize the government's approach in handling TIP, OSAEC, CSAEM cases covering original, appealed or offshoot cases related thereto pending before any court.

“This ceremonial signing of the MOA of the Office of the Prosecutor General, OSG and the IACAT symbolizes the continued coordination and cooperation between and among these offices needed in the fight against human trafficking, ” said OIC-PG Fadullon.

"Today is another prime example of the Philippines' commitment to fighting trafficking including OSAEC... this is our way of telling each survivor that that he or she is not alone,"IJM National Director Samson Inocencio, Jr. mentioned.

In particular, the Task Force will oversee TIP, OSAEC and CSAEM cases which require the legal services of the OSG or its representation as legal counsel of the State.

This Agreement will benefit public officials/employees and other civil servants directly handling TIP, OSAEC and CSAEM cases in the performance of their official functions to protect victims of abuse therefrom and investigate or prosecute those who are behind such activities.

"We continue to deal with emerging trends in trafficking in persons and increasing cases of OSAEC due to the vulnerabilities we face as a nation. With this, the DOJ is firm in its resolve to combat this issue,” Usec. Ty Nicholas Felix Ty averred.

"This MOA commits us to work more closely towards our common goal: the stoppage of TIP and OSAEC cases," ASG Sharon M. Decano said in her special thanksgiving message.

“There is no better way to combat human trafficking and child exploitation other than through coordinated efforts and cooperation among government agencies, various sectors of society and concerned citizens. Together, we can certainly put an end to modern day slavery,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla emphasized.

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