The Movement, made up of Catholics and Protestants, has called a day of meeting, discussion and prayer for December 12. At least 5 thousand people expected. The recent devastation caused by the earthquake and typhoon have exacerbated the phenomenon of modern slavery. The heads of the churches in the Philippines makes concrete proposals against traffickers and for protection of victims.

Manila ( AsiaNews) - Filipino Catholics and Protestants are holding a " Day of Prayer " against human trafficking and aberrant phenomenon of modern slavery on December 12. The focal point of the event is scheduled for 3 pm at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, the place where - by tradition - the newly elected president of the Philippines takes his oath . All the churches and parishes of the capital, and the country, are asked to give testimonies of solidarity with the victims and condemnation of traffickers, through prayer and gestures of concrete help .

The initiative is promoted by the Philippine Inter-Faith Movement against human trafficking (Pimaht ), a body formed by the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP ), the National Council of Churches of the Philippines ( NCCP ) and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches ( PCEC ) . A commitment organizers say which is even more urgent and obvious in recent months "because of the devastating earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda."

The leaders of the Philippine Charity the National Secretariat for Social Action - Justice and Peace , (Nassa ) is also involved according to which " it is even more important to speak of human trafficking ," when the country pledged to " overcome the catastrophe " caused by Yolanda . In fact, one of the most terrible consequences of natural disasters is the consequent poverty which entails , an increase of people who end up in the criminal racket which include women and orphaned children.

According to the organizers there will be at least 5 thousand among religious leaders, Christian organizations and ordinary faithful at the meeting of meditation and prayer . In addition it presents an opportunity to formulate concrete proposals and initiatives to curb the phenomenon. In an introductory note , Pimaht leaders emphasize that "integrity is an inviolable and inherent right of the person " , but "human traffickers , sex slaves or forced labor , are destroying the lives of millions of children and fragile and vulnerable women . " This is the "second criminal industry and fastest growing phenomenon in the world, on a par with the arms industry and just behind drug trafficking".

Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo , national director of Nassa , the Rev. Reyes of NCCP and Bishop Efraim Tendero ( PCEC ) , add that one can not "stand by and watch human trafficking  grow, year after year" a plague exacerbated by the recent devastation brought by the earthquake and typhoon. " The traffickers - they add - are increasingly brazen , often certain they will go unpunished in their criminal activities. And if they become more arrogant in their criminal acts, in that this is a new form of modern slavery, we need to be more decisive in the fight against them".

For this reason, Christian leaders trace the common goals of the struggle to demolish the network of evil through prayer and action , to remain vigilant and cooperate with local authorities and NGOs in defense of human rights; actively participate in awareness campaigns on the problem and fight for its  complete eradication to ensure long-term programs for recovery and well-being of victims of abuse , who must be able to return to live in society with dignity.

 

• philippines
• Nassa
• prayer
• inter
• faith
• human
• trafficking