JUSTICE SERVED. Lawyer Jaime Calleja, deputy regional prosecutor, reports on the achievements and accomplishments of the Department of Justice through the Regional Prosecution Office (DOJ-RPO) from 2022 to 2024 during the 14th edition of "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" at the DSWD regional office in Legazpi City on Tuesday (Aug. 27, 2024). He said trafficking in person cases in Bicol have been 100 percent resolved. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Justice, through the Regional Prosecution Office (DOJ-RPO), reported on Tuesday that trafficking in person (TIP) cases in Bicol have been 100 percent resolved.
During Tuesday's "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" at the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) conference hall, lawyer Jaime Calleja, deputy regional prosecutor, said from 2022 to 2024, a total of 74 cases were filed in court.
"DOJ extends legal services, financial assistance, advocacy, and referral to other agencies for psychosocial and case management support for the TIP victim-survivors," Calleja said.
He said that among the cases, prostitution accounted for 90.54 percent (67 cases), while labor exploitation accounted for 9.46 percent (7 cases).
"The Department of Justice in the Bicol region continues its commitment to the disposition of its cases," Calleja said.
He also said they conducted a capacity development program in cooperation with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to foster closer working relations by strengthening collaboration and cooperation and to improve the quality of cases filed in courts.
"After a full year of proactive involvement in case build-up, weak cases were not filed in court, contributing to the decongestion of court dockets. DOJ issued a department circular wherein the prosecutors are mandated to work hand-in-hand with the law enforcement officers. Now the degree of proof necessary for the filing of cases has also been increased, prima facie evidence is needed. It is no longer possible to just file, one of the ways there could be a court and docket decongestion," Calleja said.
The Bicol Regional Prosecution Office has achieved a 92.93 percent conviction rate for a total of 3,102 individuals. (PNA)
