A Lapu-Lapu City judge convicted five persons after they pleaded guilty for attempting to push young women into prostitution over two years ago.
Ronaldo Panuncio and Reynaldo Sampan were found guilty of violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and were meted the penalty of imprisonment up to 20 years.
Identified as the “principal accused” in the lawsuit, Panuncio and Sampan were also mandated by the court to pay a fine of P1 million each.
Their accomplices—Mamelyn Bisoles, Mirasol Aquino, and Carmelita Gonida—were ordered imprisoned for 15 years and were fined P500,000 each.
It was the turn of the accused to present their evidence before Judge Anna Marie Militante of the Regional Trial Court Branch 53 in Lapu-Lapu City last Monday.
But they did not present any witness nor a document to refute the allegations hurled against them. Instead, they pleaded guilty to charges of human trafficking filed by the Lapu-Lapu City police against them in 2012.
Since they admitted to have committed an offense, Judge Militante convicted the five accused for “simple trafficking,” instead of “qualified trafficking” which carries the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than P2 million.
The International Justice Mission (IJM), a non-government agency that fights human trafficking, welcomed the decision of the accused to enter a plea bargain deal with the state as it declogs the court docket and render quick justice for the victims.
“The convictions handed down earlier this week send a strong message that those who would engage in (human) trafficking in the Philippines will be held accountable for their crimes,” said lawyer Jesse Rudy, the national director of IJM in the Philippines.
In a statement sent to CDN, Rudy lauded the police officers as well as the prosecutors who worked hand in hand to render justice to the victims.
“We strongly believe that ending impunity through consistent, high-quality law enforcement is central to protecting the poor from violence, and these convictions are a great example of how law enforcement in the Philippines is making a difference,” he said.
On Aug. 6 2012, the father of a 16-year-old girl sought the assistance of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Lapu-Lapu Police Station 3 after his daughter was taken by recruiters to Manila.
The local police immediately coordinated with IJM, and then alerted the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Sea Marshal Unit (SMU).
On the same day, Panuncio and Sampan were intercepted by the police on board MV St. Gregory of 2GO Travel. Two victims were rescued, including the 16-year-old girl whose father sought the intervention of the police.
Two days after, the victims and the accused were separately sent back to Lapu-Lapu City where they reside.
After further investigation, three other persons—Bisoles, Aquino, and Gonida—were arrested after they were found to have conspired with the two other accused.
According to the complainant, their neighbors Bisoles and Aquino went to their house in Lapu-Lapu City and recruited the 16-year-old girl to work in a bar in Manila.
Bisoles allegedly admonished the minor to deny her minority and to tell anyone that she is already above 18 years old.
Panuncio and Sampan, on one hand, told the girl that she would work as a dancer in a bar, and that foreign customers could take them to the hotel for sex.
Panuncio promised the girl that she could continue her studies in Manila.
On Aug. 6, Panuncio and Sampan bought ship tickets for the girl and another woman. When they were on board MV St. Gregory, the victims were rescued by the police while the two accused were arrested.
Human trafficking is committed by anyone who “recruits, transports, transfers, harbors, provides or receives a person, with or without the victim’s consent or knowledge, by any means, including those done under the pretext of domestic or overseas employment or training or apprenticeship, for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage.”
An offense is considered “qualified” if the victim is a child or in other situations involving family relations or a relationship of authority.
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