In partnership with the Philippine Consulate General, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) of the Philippines and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Bulacan Chapter conducted an anti-trafficking and legal seminar, and offered free legal services to the Filipino Community in Hong Kong on 17-18 October 2015.

IACAT was represented by its executive director, Atty. Darlene S. Pajarito; Atty. Floro C. Balato, Jr., Acting Chief of the Port Operations Division of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration; and Atty. Eric P. Dollete of the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The IBP-Bulacan Chapter was composed of Atty. Purificacion Bartolome-Bernabe, Atty. Francine Faith Longid-Dalumpines, Atty. Joseph Inocencio, Atty. Anel Martin S. Antero and Atty. Michael Tito Sajor.

The IACAT-IBP team gave one-on-one legal consultations to members of the Filipino Community during its two-day pro bono legal mission.  Among the cases handled by the team are on annulment/separation, child support and property.

On 17 October, the team conducted a seminar on PH’s anti-trafficking law, labor and immigration policies for OFWs, and laws governing property and marriage.

More than 100 members of the Filipino Community attended the seminar and availed themselves of the legal services.

As part of their legal mission in Hong Kong, IACAT-IBP officials also held consultation meetings with International Social Services-Hong Kong, Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile and Justice Without Borders on possible collaboration to implement projects to combat human trafficking and conduct free legal assistance to Filipinos in Hong Kong.