Participants from different LGUs, NGOs, Inter-agency councils and International Ministries gathered as one in prayer to #ENDOSEC (End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children) on Thursday, December 6, at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu for the Visayas Prayer Gathering (VPG) 2018.

The VPG 2018 was a culminating activity for the annual celebration of 18-day campaign to end VAW (Violence against Women) which is pursuant to the Proclamation 1172 s. 2006 – Declaring November 25 to December 12 as the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with the theme “VAW-free community starts with me”.

“The violence now has become more complicated,” said Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, DSWD 7 regional director pertaining to the use of internet in sexual crimes. Taking some verse from the bible she added “According to Matthew 18:20, For where two or three gather in my name, truly it will be done”. “We are more than two here, dako gyud nig epekto ang atong gathering (this gathering will have a huge impact),” said Director Macapobre.

“Philippines is the global hotspot of this (OSEC) crime. We must be one in combating against OSEC,” said Mr. John Tanagho, Cebu field office director of International Justice Mission (IJM).

Aside from the directed prayers for the different agencies who took an active part in this campaign, praise and worship songs filled the area. Moreover, as a pledge of commitment, participants took part in the signing of the #ENDOSEC Commitment Boards.

The activity ended with a community dance to the “One Billion Rising” theme song of the campaign. ###

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