To be a victim of human trafficking is one of the worst things that can happen to a person who only wants to work and earn a decent living. This illegal activity is very inhumane because the victims are thrown into the pit of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.

Fortunately, different organizations all over the world are now working to eradicate human trafficking or what they call “modern day slavery. In the Philippines, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) recently launched a hotline number that victims of human trafficking can call for assistance.

Through the “1343 Actionline Against Human Trafficking” project of the CFO, victims of human trafficking can easily seek for help by calling the hotline numbers:

For those from the Philippines, the number to call is: (02) 1343

For those calling from abroad, the number to call is: (632) 1343

Aside from the hotline number, the CFO also holds a Community Education Program on Migration to make people aware about the dangers of human trafficking and thus prevent them from becoming victims.

According to Ariel Cruz, CFO’s Migrant Integration and Education Division, some foreigners do human trafficking by promising marriage to possible victims. Cruz said this in a recent symposium that was held in Butuan City.

He said, “We do not prevent the Filipino women to marry a foreigner. It is their right to marry. Nevertheless, we warn them to know very well their future husband."

Paul Vincent Avencilla said in a report from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that 54 cases of human trafficking have been solved by CFO since March 15 this year.

Avencilla added that CFO officials worked with the Butuan City Police so they would know how to deal with human trafficking cases and to inform the public about the Republic Act No. 9208 or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003."

For resolving several cases of human trafficking in the past year, the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report of the US State Department now list the Philippines in the Tier 2 category. This is an improvement from the previous report where the Philippines is placed in the "Tier 2 watch list" category.

According to the US report, the Philippines "still does not fully comply with minimum standards to eliminate trafficking, but Manila is making significant efforts to do so."