CEBU CITY, Philippines – With the success of its “Project Lantern” launched last 2007 that was able to help rescue more than 200 victims, the International Justice Mission (IJM) has vowed to further strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

Project Lantern of IJM, an international human rights agency that secures justice for slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression, was able to help save 259 victims of trafficking crimes in Metro Cebu area.

Project Lantern wants to demonstrate the effectiveness of a law enforcement-based strategy to reduce the prevalence of sex trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

One of the project’s recent achievements is the conviction of Sarah Jane Estrada last month for conniving in recruiting three women on October 3, 2006 and another two women on October 18, 2010 to engage in prostitution and sexual exploitation.

Last October 29, Regional Trial Court branch 10 Presiding Judge Soliver Peras convicted Sarah Jane for two cases of trafficking and sentenced her to life life imprisonment. She was also ordered to pay a fine of P5 million.

The judge also issued a warrant of arrest against Sarah Jane’s sister, Roselyin Estrada. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 was ordered to arrest the accused at all cost.

Lawyer Andrey Sawenko, IJM Cebu field office director, in recent press conference, also said that two more IJM cases in Cebu were awaiting promulgation of judgment and several others are expected to be submitted for decision before the year ends.

At present, IJM Cebu is assisting government partners and victims of trafficking with 63 prosecutions, including those that are in the preliminary investigation stage and those that have been filed in court.

Moreover, the first phase of Project Lantern did not only help 259 trafficked victims but also led to the arrest of 77 suspected individuals and the filing of criminal charges against another 107 individuals.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Macapobre, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional director for Central Visayas, lauded the achievement of IJM in helping the government curb human trafficking and sex trade.

DSWD Region 7 and IJM Cebu have been closely working together for the success of Project Lantern.

Senior Supt. Augustus Marquez, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office 7, also added that significant changes were made when the IJM entered the scene in the fight against human trafficking.

Marquez said IJM helped to reduce the number of victims while court convictions have sent a strong warning to those who are planning to violate the law.

He said IJM raised public awareness about the problem of trafficking which is now considered a serious offense.

Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane said that during a recent visit, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima here assured him of the full support of her office in the prosecution of anti-trafficking cases.

“In fact Secretary De Lima has issued a department order on the creation of regional task-force against human trafficking,” he said.