2 face charge for recruiting girl, 14

FOR recruiting a 14-year-old girl for prostitution, two persons were charged with a criminal case by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutor Rogelio del Prado Jr. found enough evidence to indict Marga and Ramon (real names withheld) with violation of the Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The case is non-bailable.

Provisions of the law punish any person who recruits, harbors or receives a person for prostitution or sexual exploitation. The law also punishes one who maintains or hires a person to engage in prostitution.

On March 10 last year, complainant Pia (real name withheld) said in her affidavit that she was brought by the accused in Boracay to have sex with a man. Her female companion was taken by another man in a separate room.

“Because of fear that we might be killed or something bad will happen to us if we will not give in…I was forced to have a sexual intercourse,” she said.

Sun.Star Cebu is withholding the real names of the accused and the victim for the law prohibits naming them.

A month earlier, Pia said she met Marga in her school and the latter invited her for a tour in Boracay. The accused also offered her a budget of P10,000.

“Marga only told me that our trip to Boracay was for the purpose of hanging out,” she said. “She convinced me that it would be fun going there because I can personally see many actors and actresses.”

On March 8 last year, Pia said she decided to leave home without asking permission from her parents. They arrived in Boracay the next day.

“Marga also asked us if it was okay for us to be used for sex and I said no,” she said.