The ongoing pandemic has revealed that technology is the future in fighting human trafficking, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Thursday, Dec. 17.

“As 2020 comes to a close, we are gaining a better understanding of what a global response to trafficking will look like in this decade and beyond,” he said in his speech during the annual Manila International Dialogue Against Human Trafficking that is being held virtually for the first time this year due to the ongoing pandemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
 
Guevarra pointed out “there is a realization and consensus among stakeholders that developments in technology that have spawned new ways of committing trafficking can also be harnessed and utilized to respond to trafficking.”
 
“More and more tech companies are joining the fight, developing tools and technology solutions to combat human trafficking,” the secretary cited.
 
Though he admitted that the pace of human trafficking investigations in general has been dictated by traffickers and syndicates, Guevarra said “the growing network of private sector engagement in this initiative is highly encouraging.”
 
“Indeed, the battleground has shifted,” Guevarra declared.
 
The secretary also pointed out that “technology can facilitate the effective administration of justice.”
 
“While we note and acknowledge that technological gaps still exist, the criminal justice response to trafficking has slowly adapted and accommodated new possibilities of carrying out its mandate,” he stated.
 
Guevarra cited that, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “we saw the first virtual promulgation of the conviction of the notorious American pedophile, David Timothy Deakin” as well as the “recent conviction for large scale trafficking for prostitution was promulgated via videconferencing in Cebu.”
 
“In both instances, the accused were sentenced to life imprisonment,” he noted.
 
For its part, Guevarra said the Department of Justice (DOJ), in adapting to the ongoing pandemic, has allowed “e-inquest” for those arrested without warrants.
 
He said “guidelines for e-inquest have also been issued, providing for the virtual conduct of inquest proceedings using online platforms and without requiring the physical presence of parties.”
 
“The Supreme Court has likewise issued a circular allowing the filing of complaints or information via email and the posting of bail through electronic means,” he added.
 
“These promising developments provide a truly encouraging snapshot of what can be achieved by the two main pillars in the criminal justice response if innovative solutions are carried out by harnessing technology and marrying it with practice and procedure,” Guevarra stated.