Sisters face human trafficking case in court

CEBU, Philippines — The two sisters who were earlier arrested for allegedly engaging in sex trade are now facing charges before the court for the violation of RA  9208 or Human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

City Prosecutor Jude Henritz Ycong found sufficient grounds to elevate the criminal complaint against Mara Pilapil and her younger sister, Kathleen.

In an inquest proceeding, the sisters chose not to undergo a preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against them.

Ycong elevated the case to the court and recommended no bail for their temporary liberty.

Last April 7, operatives of Lapu-Lapu City police arrested the two suspects who are residents of Barangay Calamba, Cebu City in an entrapment operation.

The three victims are also residents of Barangay Calamba.

The sisters allegedly lured the victims to go with them to Lapu-Lapu City where they can get customers.

The chief of LCPO City Intelligence Branch (CIB), Superintendent Mark Gifter Sucalit, told The FREEMAN that he talked to the victims in his office and they shared that poverty pushed them to engage in sex trade.

"Akong gi-remind sila nga murag daghan paman  og choice yata sa kinabuhi, dili lang nato ibaligya atong kaugalingon para easy money ba," he said.

On the other hand, a minor, is facing two charges before the court for alleged possession of drugs and a bladed weapon.

Police Officer 1 Edsel Turno and his colleagues alleged that on March 28, they arrested the minor who resides in the Cebu Chinese Cemetery in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City.

Turno said they observed that the minor acted suspiciously near a PUJ stop and saw him with a bladed weapon tucked in his waistband.

They approached him and frisked his body that led to the recovery of a nine-inch kitchen knife and four sachets of suspected shabu weighing 5 grams.

City Prosecutor III Simaco A. Labata elevated the case before the court after finding probable cause in the case filed against the minor. —CNU Intern/MBG (FREEMAN)