CHARGES were filed against a 24-year-old woman who was arrested for purportedly hiring-out women’s services as prostitutes last Monday.
Stephanie Reynes was accused of violating Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 before the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office.
When presented before Mandaue City Prosecutor Bienvinido Mabanto, Reynes decided to undergo a preliminary investigation so she can file a counter-affidavit on her case.
Mabanto gave Reynes 15 days to submit a counter-affidavit.
If the prosecutor finds probable cause, the case against Reynes will be elevated before the Regional Trial Court. Otherwise, the case will be dismissed.
Reynes remains in detention at the Subangdaku Police Station.
Reynes was arrested in an entrapment hatched by operatives of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RAHTTF) within the premises of Parkmall in Mandaue City last Friday.
Two police decoys transacted with Reynes to hire seven minors for sex.
Reynes, a resident of barangay Tipolo in Mandaue City, heeded the request and presented 11 recruits whom she sold to the decoys at P8,000 each.
After paying P64,000 supposedly for eight women, the police arrested Reynes.
Since four of the victims were believed to be minors, the offense falls under qualified trafficking, a non-bailable offense.
The victims, all residents of Mandaue City are presently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Insp. Sheryl Bautista, assistant team leader of RAHTTF said the victims will undergo some programs determined by the DSWD.
In an earlier interview, Reynes admitted that she recruited a friend who in turn brought girls whom an American purportedly wanted to hire.
She said she knew that the victims will be exposed to sex since she was told to prepare condoms.
Reynes didn’t know that the American and another man with whom she made the transaction were police decoys.
She said some of the victims knew about the possibility of being exposed to exploitation but the girls allegedly still accepted the offer because they needed the money.