Caraga police fulfills PBBM SONA promise to end human trafficking
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) —President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. explicitly addressed anti-trafficking in his 2024 SONA when he announced a ban on all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), citing their link not only in cybercrime but also in serious offenses, including human trafficking.
In Caraga region, the Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to intensify its efforts in combating trafficking in persons (TIP), citing close coordination with communities, local governments, and other agencies as key to preventing and prosecuting this crime.
Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano, regional director of PNP Caraga committed to curb trafficking in person through constant monitoring of its police stations all over the region and to intensify awareness campaigns in the communities on how to prevent human trafficking through police visibility and timely assistance.
He reminded all PNP personnel to do their responsibilities in keeping a community peaceful and go after traffickers and perpetrators.
In the recent Kapihan sa PIA held at SM City Butuan, Police Major Arlene T. Ga, chief of the Women and Children Protection Section of PNP Caraga’s Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, reported that in Caraga region there are six trafficking in persons (TIP) cases were recorded from 2024 to mid-2025 in which five cases were recorded in 2024, while one case has been recorded from January to June 2025.
“We are actively monitoring and investigating trafficking cases and continuously strengthening our presence in vulnerable communities,” she said. “Our police units are trained to respond quickly to reports, and we urge the public to call 911 or approach the nearest police station for assistance.”
She emphasized the PNP’s approach includes community education, victim support services, and intensified patrol and surveillance operations, particularly in areas where youth and women are at risk.
PNP Caraga is also expanding its engagement efforts through schools and barangay-based forums, helping parents, youth, and the community leaders to understand how traffickers operate and how to protect potential victims.
“Parents play a crucial role in prevention. We ask them to monitor the activities of their children, especially teenagers, who are often targeted by traffickers online and offline,” Ga added, emphasizing the PNP Caraga’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable Caraganons and ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice through sustained community outreach, inter-agency cooperation, and accessible reporting channels.
The Kapihan sa PIA, facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency Caraga served as a timely platform to inform the public of the dangers of human trafficking, including the government preventive efforts and the services made available to the victims.
In line with the observance of the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month, the Kapihan sa PIA gathered the members of the Caraga Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) to bolster united action against gender-based violence and human exploitation. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
