NOT only did Police Officer 2 Dennis Reci operate a prostitution den fronting as a beer house; he also engaged in trafficking of women and children abroad.

So when the verdict came, Reci and his business associate Feliciano Manansala could only be meted life sentences, respectively, by the Manila regional trial court (RTC), after finding them guilty of qualified trafficking, the gravest offense under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act or Republic Act (RA) 9208.

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Reci also holds the distinction of being the first public officer convicted for human trafficking in the country.

A joint statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and International Justice Mission (IJM) announced the conviction meted by Judge Amelia Tria-Infante of the Manila RTC branch 9.

The successful prosecution of the cases against Reci and Manansala are only the second and third convictions under RA 9208 for 2009, and the product of cooperation between government agencies and concerned nongovernment agencies.

Based on records, Reci, while still a policeman, owned and operated 8RC Bar, which he and Manansala utilized as a front for child prostitution. Their operation was discovered in May 2005.

This was reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) by undercover operatives of IJM, a human rights advocacy agency working against trafficking in persons.

On May 31, 2005, after weeks of further investigation, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), aided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and IJM Manila, arrested Reci and Manansala.

Two minor girls were rescued and given immediate aftercare while nine adult women were provided social services.

Senior State Prosecutor Deana Perez filed charges of qualified human trafficking against Reci and Manansala, as well as an unidentified male, who fled the scene during the raid.

Perez and lawyer Reynaldo Bicol Jr., Director of Legal Intervention of IJM, prosecuted the case.

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, chairman of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, said the conviction of Reci should serve as a warning to all human traffickers and that the government is committed to bringing to justice all those who take advantage of the women and children, no matter who they are.

“Traffickers may attempt to take advantage of children believing that they are more powerful than vulnerable minors. But in the Philippines, our children do not stand alone. They are protected by our laws, police and NGOs (non-government organizations),” said lawyer Carmela Andal-Castro, IJM Manila Director. (JCV/Sunnex)