TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – – The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Region 02 and the Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force (RACETTF) II recently concluded the initial run of school orientations in the region for the year.
The activity, held from January 13 to 15, 2025, was attended by over 500 participants, including students and faculty members, from Cagayan State University (CSU) – Carig and Andrews Campuses, Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines (MCNP), University of Cagayan Valley (UCV), University of St. Louis (USL), and St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP).
The program aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of human trafficking and the online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC). Participants were trained to identify red flags, report and refer potential incidents, and understand the key provisions of trafficking and child protection laws.
As student leaders of their respective colleges and universities, participants recognized their unique role as allies against trafficking in persons (TIP) and took an oath as members of the Student Warriors Against Trafficking and OSAEC (SWAT-OSAEC) during the event.
SWAT-OSAEC is an initiative by IACAT Region 02 and RACETTF II to mobilize and equip students to advocate against TIP and its evolving forms, report red flags or potential TIP cases, support peers victimized by traffickers, integrate TIP awareness into school programs and activities, and participate in community initiatives to raise awareness and encourage public reporting.
The school orientations will continue throughout the year and will expand to other areas in the region as part of IACAT Region 02 and RACETTF II’s plans to enhance education and prevention initiatives on human trafficking and OSAEC.
The initiative is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines and the Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines (PDAP) through the Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for More Effective and Sustainable Counter-Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines (Strength CTIP) Program.
This version ensures consistent verb tense, removes redundancies, and clarifies certain points for improved readability. (ALM/PIA Region 2 with reports from DOJ Region 2)
