Geneva: Sen. Raffy Tulfo has called on Cambodian authorities to take action against the masterminds and criminal syndicates responsible for the increasing number of Filipino victims of human trafficking. Tulfo made this appeal during the ASEAN+3 meeting, which includes Korea, Japan, and China, at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held at the Geneva International Conference Center in Switzerland.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo emphasized the necessity for Cambodia to fortify its borders to prevent traffickers from exploiting the route between the Philippines and Cambodia to traffic Filipino workers. He highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating that it requires immediate attention from Cambodian authorities to identify and apprehend those involved in human trafficking.
In the same meeting, Tulfo’s brother, Sen. Erwin, addressed the pressing need for accountability mechanisms to combat the spread of false information, which he identified as a threat to democracy. Erwin stressed the detrimental impact of fake news and malicious online campaigns on public trust and democratic discourse, pointing out that false information can incite anger and violence.
Erwin underscored the importance of protecting freedom of speech while ensuring the truth is safeguarded within the digital public square. He called for cooperation among parliamentarians to strengthen legal frameworks that hold accountable those who intentionally spread falsehoods, without compromising legitimate expression.
In addition to legal measures, Erwin advocated for investments in media literacy, particularly among the youth, to enable citizens to better distinguish between truth and lies. He emphasized that the fight against disinformation is crucial not only for defending leaders but for defending democracy itself.
The Philippine delegation at the IPU, alongside the Tulfo brothers, included Sen. Imee Marcos and Representatives Ferdinand Hernandez, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Ma. Georgina De Venecia, Maria Rachel Arenas, Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III, Brian Poe-Llamanzares, Jonathan Clement Abalos II, and Florabel Yatco.