Cebu City Council Approves Ordinance Requiring Hotels to Put Up Poster Against Human Trafficking

The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance requiring hotels and similar establishments to put up a poster or notice against human trafficking.

It will read, “Zero Tolerance for Human Trafficking. We will report any suspicious activity and cooperate with the law enforcement in the investigation of cases.”

Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales, author of the ordinance, said trafficking in persons, especially women and children, is a global concern that needs a proactive and coordinated response at all levels.

“The city government recognizes the need to tap the support and cooperation of the private sector in fighting human trafficking,” he said.

The Cebu City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (CCIACAT) had noted that among the areas where human trafficking can be committed are in hotels and similar establishments.

Six persons have so far been convicted this year for separate sexual exploitation charges between June and October.

The suspects were caught in entrapment operations inside hotels.

Last May and June, eight female minors were rescued from two foreigners during separate entrapments inside hotels.

Andales cited the importance of information dissemination as an avenue to educate the public that the Cebu City government will not tolerate human trafficking.

Hotels have two months to comply with the ordinance.

For the first violation of noncompliance, a written reminder will be sent out by the CCIACAT to the hotel management.

For succeeding violations, the establishment will be fined PHP5,000 per visit by CCIACAT personnel. (PNA)SCS/EB/SSC