MANILA, Sept. 4, 2013—Faith-based groups coming from the three largest Churches in the Philippines together with Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) are set to hold a forum on the growing crime of human trafficking in the country on September 5.
Dubbed as “Freedom Forum 2013: A Multi-Sectoral Gathering against Human Trafficking,” the forum marks the first step in an ecumenical partnership between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEP), and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) in the fight against human trafficking.
The whole-day symposium will tackle situation reports on human trafficking from partner NGOs like the International Justice Mission, government agencies and Church leaderships.
Also included in the day’s event are workshops and panel discussions on advocacy, intervention and aftercare led by experts in the field.
Human trafficking is rampant, especially in the provinces where poverty rate is higher, according to Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo.
Where there is poverty, there is human trafficking. That is why we need to be aware of this and help each other to fight against this problem,” Pabillo, who is also the chair of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace, said.
Pabillo will give the keynote address at the forum, which will be held at the Christ’s Commission Fellowship center (CCF) in Ortigas Avenue corner C-5 road, Pasig City.
Organizers will also launch the Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking (PIMATH) on that day. (Jandel Posion)
