Remarks by Ambassador Kristie Kenney at MTV EXIT Event, SM Mall of Asia, May 22, 2009

May 22, 2009

Every one of you can play an important role in changing lives.  Millions of people around the world are trafficked and sold into slavery every single day and it happens to people because they don’t know better.

Every one of you here today, every one of the bands that will perform , are here to save lives and to tell people that this is a crime, that you have the right to live a free life, the right to choose, and the right to have a life with dignity.  Each one of you must be the voice for those people.  You have to warn them.  You must prevent this crime.  You must protect those who are sold and trafficked.   You must be their voice, and speak when they’ve been deprived.  And you must help prosecute those who are responsible.  They must be brought to justice.  Selling your fellow citizens is a crime beyond all belief.

And ladies and gentlemen it happens here, in the Philippines and in every other country in the world.

So I ask everyone here to take a pledge with me.  I want everyone to raise their hand [and pledge] to stop your fellow human beings from being sold into slavery.  Tell your brothers, your sisters, your neighbors.  Can I hear you?

Maraming salamat.  Enjoy this beautiful evening. Thank you and God bless you.

###