VP Binay opens ‘Actionline 1343’ for quick reporting vs. illegal recruitment, human trafficking 

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 24 (PIA) – PHL Vice-President Jejomar Binay announced recently that “Actionline 1343” for quick reporting of human trafficking is now available for free.

To access the ‘Actionline’ outside of Metro Manila, one should dial area code 02 then 1343, while those outside the country may dial 632 (63-international access code, 2-country code) then 1343.

In his visit to Dumaguete City in July, the Vice President received several complaints of illegal recruitment and human trafficking within the country, specifically the recruitment of workers from Negros Oriental in big fishing companies based in Navotas, Malabon, in Metro Manila.

In a media forum with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) and the Provincial Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (PIACAT) of Negros Oriental, it was alleged that Pesca Maharlika Marine Resources, Inc., a fishing company based in Navotas, Malabon recruits workers from Negros Oriental with an annual send off of five boats loaded with 250 “pescadores” or an average of 1,250 Negrenses involved in its fishing expedition in the high seas off Palawan.

The forum said these “pescadores’ are involved in “Paaling” fishing which is more dangerous because divers used air compressors to drive the fishes inside the nets and they are unprotected, without any diving gears.

“Some of these divers are minors with the company of their fathers or uncles,” the forum bared.

DOLE-7 noted that Negros Oriental is one of the sending provinces of workers in fishing vessels as deep-sea divers.

It has been reported that house-to-house recruitment, especially in rural areas, is the clearest indication of illegal recruitment because under the law, lawful recruitment should be done in the office of a licensed recruitment agency, DOLE said.

DOLE-7 regional director Exequiel Sarcauga said his office has received complaints from 38 fish workers against Pesca Maharlika Marine Resources about their sordid state of work.

Sarcauga pledged to help the victims of Pesca through a livelihood training assistance under DOLE’s worker’s income augmentation program (WINAP).

Negros Oriental governor on the other hand convened the provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (PIACAT) to tackle and address the issue of illegal recruitment and human trafficking in the province.

IACAT is the primary body tasked to coordinate, monitor, and oversee the implementation of programs against trafficking in persons as provided for by RA No. 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

With the cases of illegal recruitment in Negros Oriental, PIACAT stepped up its drive against illegal recruitment and human trafficking in Central Visayas . (PIA-NegOr/mbcn/JCT)