Case Digest (A.C. No. 6148)
Facts:
In People of the Philippines vs. Nancy Lasaca Ramirez a.k.a. “Zoy” or “Soy” (G.R. No. 217978, January 30, 2019), the accused-appellant Nancy Lasaca Ramirez was charged with qualified trafficking of persons under Section 4(e) of Republic Act No. 9208 for maintaining or hiring minors to engage in prostitution. On December 5, 2009 at around 9:45 PM in Lapu-Lapu City, members of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, led by PO1 Nef Nemenzo, conducted an entrapment operation at a KTV bar based on surveillance of sexual services offered by young girls. Disguised as customers, officers ordered beers and were approached by two women who introduced themselves as AAA (20) and BBB (15). When two additional girls were requested, Ramirez appeared, supplied the minors, and negotiated a P2,400 fee for four girls. A taxi was hailed to a motel, and upon delivery of the money to one of the girls, the officers revealed their identity and arrested the victims, later apprehending Ramirez upCase Digest (A.C. No. 6148)
Facts:
- Charge and Trial Background
- On December 5, 2009, Nancy Lasaca Ramirez a.k.a. “Zoy” or “Soy” was charged by Information with qualified trafficking of persons under Section 4(e) of Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) for maintaining or hiring minors in prostitution.
- She pleaded not guilty on arraignment and underwent trial on the merits before RTC Branch 27, Lapu-Lapu City.
- Entrapment Operation and Arrest
- At about 9:45 p.m., PO1 Nef Nemenzo and 13 members of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force conducted a buy-bust at a KTV bar in Lapu-Lapu City, based on surveillance of minors offering sexual services.
- Disguised as customers, PO1 Nemenzo and PO1 Llanes met two minors (AAA, BBB) who introduced Ramirez; she then fetched two more girls, negotiated P600 per girl, boarded a taxi with them to a motel site, and was arrested when officers revealed themselves and took custody.
- Prosecution Evidence
- PO1 Nemenzo and PO1 Llanes testified on the negotiation, payment of P2,400, identification of Ramirez as pimp, and turnover of minors to team leader.
- Minors BBB and AAA (both aged 15-20) testified that Ramirez had on prior occasions procured them for prostitution, negotiated payments (P200–P600), and took a P400 commission from the P2,400 total.
- Defense of the Accused
- Ramirez claimed she was merely watching a live band with her sister at the bar and was forcibly accosted and arrested by unidentified men.
- In a letter to the Supreme Court, she asserted BBB coerced her to find more girls and that she neither negotiated nor received payment, denying any involvement in trafficking.
Issues:
- Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ramirez committed qualified trafficking of persons by maintaining or hiring minors for prostitution.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)