G.R. No. 127857 - De Jesus vs. Court of Appeals

On or about December 5, 2012, at 8:30 p.m., in Cebu City, accused XXX was charged with qualified trafficking under Section 4(a), in relation to Section 6, Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003).
The Information alleged that XXX hired/recruited four women, including two minors (AAA aged 16 and BBB aged 17), for prostitution and sexual exploitation for financial gain.

The International Justice Mission coordinated with local authorities for investigation on XXX, who allegedly peddled women for paid sex.
On December 5, 2012, XXX contacted an NBI confidential informant to offer girls for sexual services.
Agent Reynaldo Villordon, Jr. of the NBI was introduced, and an entrapment operation was set up involving marked money and an American companion as a poseur-buyer.
At McDonald's in Cebu City, XXX offered five women to Agent Villordon and the American, negotiated price at PHP 2,500 per girl, and accepted PHP 10,000, keeping PHP 2,000 as commission.
XXX was immediately arrested; the four girls were rescued, and it was confirmed two were minors.

The prosecution presented testimonies from the women-victims AAA, BBB, DDD and Agent Villordon.
Victims testified that XXX recruited and pimped them out for sexual services, negotiated with customers, distributed money, and exerted control (e.g., pinching to prevent leaving).
BBB testified that she was 14 years old at the time, per birth certificate; she provided her number thinking XXX was a potential suitor but was later offered for prostitution.
The accused denied recruitment and claimed the women were friends who requested their services to be advertised.
The accused's father corroborated his denial.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found the accused guilty of qualified trafficking, imposing life imprisonment and fines, as well as awarding damages to victims.
The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the RTC ruling, holding that all elements of qualified trafficking were established.

Whether or not the accused committed the acts constitutive of qualified trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208).
Whether the entrapment operation employed in the arrest of accused was valid and lawful.
Appropriate penalties and damages to be imposed upon conviction.