Mother, daughter get 40-year jail term

CEBU, Philippines - A mother and her daughter were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or at least 40 years imprisonment after they were found guilty of human trafficking.

Regional Trial Court Judge Bienvenido Saniel found Emma and Sherryl Leocadio guilty of violating Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as Anti-trafficking in Persons Act for transporting 15 women including 12 minors from Bohol to Pampanga. The victims were sexually exploited online.

“Prosecution evidence established that both accused recruited and transported the 15 victims, including 12 minors, for the purpose of using them in online child sexual exploitation, in violation of the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act,” read a statement from the International Justice Mission.

The accused were arrested on August 5 at the Supercat Terminal in Pier 4, Cebu City by the Maritime police officers.

 The policemen received a call from a security guard of Supercat Terminal 4 that there were 15 girls inside the terminal bound for Manila. Acted on the call, the police rushed to the area and rescued the minors.

The Maritime police learned that the minors were recruited from Bohol and were about to be transported to Angeles, Pampanga, for online sexual exploitation.

 The Maritime police later turned over the minors to the Department of Social and Welfare Development. Most of the victims were out-of-school youth and were offered jobs to work in an internet café.

IJM Deputy Field Office Director Atty. John Tanagho said due to the immediate respond of the Maritime police the minors were rescued while Emma and Sherryl were arrested.

“Thankfully, due to the quick and smart action of the Maritime police in this case, 12 children were rescued before being sexually exploited online,” he stated.  (FREEMAN)