News from IJM

2 traffickers convicted in Cebu

January 27, 2012

CEBU, THE PHILIPPINES – This week, two traffickers were convicted under the Philippines’ strong anti-trafficking law. The convictions were a long-awaited victory for the girls and women rescued from these perpetrators three years ago. Thankfully, the girls and women were rescued before ever being abused: They were actually intercepted by police as the traffickers attempted to transport them, making the conviction all the more significant.

“This verdict solidifies what the law says and is a good statement for other courts to follow,” explains IJM Cebu’s Director of Legal, Mark Anthony Del Mundo. The judge ruled justly, convicting the traffickers on proof of their intent to sell the girls for sex.

Most of the young women have been reunited with their families, but one of the girls is still living in an aftercare home.

Testimonial

No card, no life

"Some people think [citizenship] is just a plastic card – but in reality, those without that card don’t have a life."

IJM Thailand FO Director Khem Saksakunmongkhon

In His Own Words

Game Changing Results: Project Lantern

“Broken public justice systems can be fixed, and when they are, they fulfill their call to protect whole communities. In the Philippines, IJM’s Project Lantern has shown that a thoughtful and targeted investment in a local public justice system can transform the system’s response to the crime of trafficking little girls for commercial sex. After just three and a half years of IJM operations in Cebu, independent researchers confirmed a 79 percent reduction in the number of girls trafficked for commercial sex. These groundbreaking results have been so well received by the Government of the Philippines that I believe we are on the cusp of real and lasting transformation of the public justice systems in both metro Cebu and metro Manila.”

Blair Burns, Director of Operations, Southeast Asia

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