MANILA (20 June
2013) – The United States hailed a Filipino migrants' rights worker as one of
its 9 heroes against sex slavery, forced labor, and other forms of human
trafficking.
The US State
Department named Susan “Toots” Ople, founder and president of the Blas F Ople
Policy Center and Training Institute, among its Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
Heroes for 2013.
In its citation
for Ople, the US State Department recognized the Ople Center's role in
providing free legal assistance to trafficking survivors and helping them
reintegrate into society.
“Ms Ople works tirelessly
to reintegrate trafficking victims into Philippine society, believing that
skills training combined with good job placement will empower these workers to
secure safer employment. Through her leadership, the Ople Center has entered
into partnerships with hotels, private sector companies, and legislative
offices to secure jobs and training for trafficking survivors,” the US State
Department said.
Full account available at:
http://www.rappler.com/nation/31783-ofw-crusader-us-anti-trafficking-hero