On June 18-21, 2019, a Four-Day Surveillance Training Workshop on Trafficking in Persons Cases was conducted at Goat 2 Geder Hotel and Restaurant, Butuan City. The said training was spearheaded by Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation – Integrated Development Center, Inc. through its project Cinemobile IV in coordination with National Bureau of Investigation – Caraga led by Mr. Brando E. Faelnar – Intel Consultant, and Senior Investigator III Gabriel C. Falcon, Jr. The training was participated by twenty (20) Philippine National Police (PNP), from Regional Office one (1) male and two (2) females and from the City of Surigao and different municipalities in province of Surigao del Norte eleven (11) males and six (6) females.
It is believed that dismissal of trafficking in persons cases happens because of the poor surveillance skills of the law enforcers in conducting surveillance. Thus, the training was conducted in order to capacitate the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel on the protocols and techniques in conducting surveillance.
On the first day of the training, majority of the participants confirmed that they lack knowledge and skills in conducting surveillance because they haven’t undergone yet any course or training related to it. The group was then divided into three (3) groups for their field practice wherein they will apply all the theories discussed to them, such as: how to conduct Foot Surveillance, Vehicle Surveillance, Mobile Surveillance, Survey and on how to properly capture a photo accepted as evidence in court. After each field practice, the resource speakers gave their critique to each team and gave suggestions on how to improve their performance.
The training ended with the eagerness and hope of the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to apply their new learnings in their respective stations and to intensify their fight to end human trafficking.
The Cinemobile Phase IV Project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in partnership with Karl Kübel Stiftung fur kind und Familie (KKS). It is a three-year project which started last July 2018 and will end on July 2021. It is implemented in the Province of Surigao del Norte specifically in Surigao City and in the Municipalities of Claver, General Luna and Socorro.
© Ephrael Badajos – Training cum Paralegal Officer
