Filipino bishops call for efforts to end human trafficking

(Vatican Radio) Catholic bishops in the Philippines say the country must step up efforts in fighting human trafficking, despite its improved rating in the latest US State Department Trafficking in Persons report.

Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the bishops’ Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said human trafficking is a “major scourge” in the country which requires concerted efforts from all sections of society to tackle the problem.

The Catholic Church last month established a “covenant of partnership” together with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches to fight human trafficking.

The churches vowed to become “places of welcome, healing and hospitality” for victims and survivors of trafficking, providing legal aid, emergency funds, and medical and psychological support.

They will also continue to engage in lobbying through international and national networks to ensure that all forms of human trafficking are addressed by the government.