2 siblings face raps for sex trafficking

CEBU, Philippines — Criminal complaints were filed before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office against two sisters earlier arrested in an entrapment operation for alleged sex trafficking.

The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- City Intelligence Branch filed the complaint for violation of the Republic Act 9208 or Human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364 or Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 against sisters Mara Pilapil, 45, and her younger sister, Kathleen, 38.

The suspects were arrested inside a hotel in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City during an entrapment operation. Superintendent Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of LCPO-CIB, said they received information about the illegal activities of the suspects two weeks ago.

During the operation, the police were able to rescue three trafficked victims from Barangay Calamba, Cebu City. The suspects allegedly lured the victims to go with them to Lapu-Lapu City because they have customers for them.

A police decoy posed as customer and negotiated with the suspects, who received P15,000 supposedly in exchange of the sexual services of the victims. After the suspects received the marked money the undercover policeman immediately announced their arrest.

The suspects did not avail of their right to preliminary investigation and opted to face the charges directly in court. — Sheil Corrine Garces, CNU Intern/FPL (FREEMAN)