PH Consulate General in LA Conducts Human Trafficking Forum, Workshop

(From left) Vice Consul Dyan Kristine Miranda Pastrana, Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles Resident Attorney Christopher Lapinig, Department of Homeland Security Victims Assistance Specialist Rohida Khan, U.S. Department of Labor Regional Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Paul Chang, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Human Trafficking Bureau Head Captain Kent Wegener, Los Angeles City Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang, and Pilipino Workers Center Executive Director Aquilina Soriano. (Los Angeles PCG photo)

LOS ANGELES 26 October 2018 – As part of the commemorative activities for the Filipino-American History Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles conducted a day-long forum and workshop on human trafficking at the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Hotel on 20 October 2018.

The forum participants were composed of human trafficking advocates and survivors, community leaders, lawyer groups, students, members of faith-based organizations, law enforcement personnel, and business owners. The forum aimed to strengthen the community networks in tackling human trafficking in Southern California.

Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles welcomed the participants to the forum.

“As the web of human trafficking expands, it is inevitable, therefore, that our best response to combat trafficking is to build multiple networks and coalitions among advocates, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, government agencies, businesses, and community members,” Consul General Cruz said.

Los Angeles City Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang delivered his brief remarks and underlined the gravity and magnitude of the crime, particularly as it affects the residents of the city.

Vice Consul Dyan Kristine Miranda Pastrana gave a brief overview of the forum and the assistance-to-nationals program of the Consulate General. In her remarks, Vice Consul Pastrana highlighted the Tier 1 ranking of the Philippines in the Trafficking in Persons Report of the U.S. Department of State since 2016 and described the laws governing trafficking in persons in the Philippines.

The forum had two panel discussions. The morning panel discussed the emerging trends and modalities in human trafficking which was moderated by Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) Executive Director Aquilina Versoza. The panelists for the morning were Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Human Trafficking Bureau Head Captain Kent Wegener, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles Resident Attorney Christopher Lapinig, Department of Homeland Security Victims Assistance Specialist Rohida Khan, and U.S. Department of Labor Regional Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Paul Chang.

The afternoon panel tackled the gaps and best practices in addressing the problem of human trafficking. The panelist for the afternoon were Federal Bureau of Investigation Victims Specialist Cristal Mills, PWC’s Aquilina Versoza, Journey Out Communications Director Mary David, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking Survivor Leadership Program Chair Angela Guanzon, LA County Department of Public Health Office of Women’s Health Medical Director Dr. Susie Baldwin, and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Attorney Brian Tan. The afternoon panel was moderated by Vice Consul Pastrana. END

(From left) Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Vice Consul Dyan Kristine Miranda Pastrana, Federal Bureau of Investigation Victims Specialist Cristal Mills, PWC’s Aquilina Versoza, Journey Out Communications Director Mary David, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking Survivor Leadership Program Chair Angela Guanzon, LA County Department of Public Health Office of Women’s Health Medical Director Dr. Susie Baldwin, and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Attorney Brian Tan. (Los Angeles PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA.