De Lima vows justice for human trafficking victims‏ - ZamboTimes

De Lima vows justice for human trafficking victims‏ - ZamboTimes:

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De Lima vows justice for human trafficking victims‏

MANILA — A Filipina alleged victim of human trafficking syndicate arrived on Monday night on board a Philippine Airlines flight PR 307 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 2 after a harrowing experience in Hongkong.
Jona (not her real name) was welcomed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima at the airport and vowed to pursue the human trafficking syndicate which allegedly victimized the Filipina worker who labored in Hongkong without pay for more than two years.
According to De Lima, the Department of Justice (DoJ) will provide full legal assistance and support to Jona, saying she wants this case “to highlight once more the resolve of the government to punish and eradicate elements engaged in human trafficking in the country”.
“We are mobilizing the resources of government and our private sector partners to make sure there will be no repeat of cases similar to this,” De Lima said.
The DoJ initially pursued an assisted the case of Jona before the Shatin Court in Hongkong where she faced charges for overstaying and working without necessary permits.
“The government and our partners are determined to protect the rights and interest of Filipinos even beyond our borders,” De Lima added.
DoJ Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar who heads the Inter-agency council against trafficking (IACAT) said that Jona faced the charges after her voluntary surrender to Hongkong immigration officials.
Salazar said he believes Jona is a victim of a human trafficking syndicate in the country which lured her into accepting an offer to work in Hongkong without proper processing and documentation.
Salazar also said Jona entered Hongkong as a tourist in 2008 after she was made to believe she was to work as a care-giver for the aging mother of her recruiter’s sister-in law. (PNA)
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