Australia
New ZealandAn exciting new partnership is giving victimized children what they need most: a voice.
Destiny Rescue Pilipinas, Inc., an operational arm of Destiny Rescue, and Makabata Helpline of the Council For The Welfare Of Children (CWC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 26, 2023, at the CWC Headquarters in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Alwin Laysico (fourth from right) and Undersecretary Angelo Tapales (fifth from right) stand with their respective teammates after the MOU is signed
This ceremonial signing represents a collective commitment to collaborate by combining efforts, resources, networks and expertise to safeguard children from perpetrators and ensure justice for the offenders.
Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, executive director of CWC, expressed his excitement that the Makabata Helpline and Destiny Rescue “will forge a formidable alliance to protect the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society—the children who fall victim to the unspeakable horror that is child sex trafficking.”
Empowering the voiceless
It can be extremely difficult for exploited children to find a safe way to reach out for help. Makabata Helpline addresses that problem.
This hotline service empowers children to safely report any abuse or violence happening to them or their peers. The helpline provides quick responses, monitoring and feedback from reports received through calls, e-mails and various social media platforms.
Destiny Rescue’s Country Manager in the Philippines Alwin Laysico acknowledged the lack of safe communication channels for children.
“We want to be able to reach out to the community and help them reach out to us,” Alwin said. “I think that that’s one massive missing piece—not only in the Philippines, but around the world: how they can reach out. So, what [the Makataba Helpline is] doing, we want to support and help in any way we can.”
Concerned adults can also protect children in their community by reporting through the Makabata Helpline. Services and interventions include but are not limited to psychosocial remediation, counseling, temporary shelter, legal assistance, etc.
The Makabata Helpline cements the assertion of CWC that “no child deserves to be silenced, abused or exploited.”
A potent partnership
The Makabata Helpline will refer reports of commercially trafficked children to our agents. Our team can then verify the report and eventually rescue the trafficked children. We’ll also work with local law enforcement agencies to locate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators. This partnership emboldens Destiny Rescue’s vision to rescue kids from sex trafficking and exploitation and help them stay free.
Connect and Report
If you or someone you know lives in the Philippines, see the following information below:
To learn more about the Makabata Helpline, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MakabataHelpline.
To report violence against children (physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, etc.), reach out to these Makabata Helpline channels:
Smart: 09193541383, 09603779863
Globe: 09158022375
Email: [email protected]
Facebook Page: Makabata Helpline
Instagram: makabata_helpline
Donate with confidence
Over the last three years, 81.8% of every dollar we spent was used for programs that benefit the children we defend.
Destiny Rescue is recognized by Guidestar, Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau for our commitment to transparency, accountability and financial integrity.
