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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Sex during raids ‘not necessary’ to strengthen prostitution case
It is not necessary for police operatives to have sex with suspected prostitutes during raids against sex dens, prosecutors, lawyers and law enforcers said in a consultation yesterday.
Lawyer Ernesto Macabare, National Bureau of Investigation executive officer, said during the consultation that having sex with prostituted women is not necessary for a police raid to succeed.
Chief Insp. Rex Derilo of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, however, said that while he believes the practice to be morally wrong, they have to do it in order to have a strong case.
“I-dismiss man gani bisan naa nay picture sa sexual act, how much more kun wala,” Derilo said in an interview. (Cases are dismissed even with photos of the act, how much more if you do not consummate it.)
Derilo said they use civilians to act as decoys during these raids.
Chief Insp. Romeo Perigo of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, on the other hand, said having sex during police operations is a “sacrifice” on their part.
But Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba said police should stop this practice. She said they are “not only exposing their butts, but also (themselves) to criminal case for having sex with these prostitutes.”
Petralba also urged law enforcers to constantly coordinate with the fiscal’s office to come up with a good case.
Lawyer Alex Tolentino, meanwhile, said that the law against trafficking persons provides that the prostitutes are no longer the criminals but the victims. Tolentino said having sex with them is no longer necessary in order to file charges against sex den owners. Paying the bar fine is enough proof, he said.
For lawyer Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, it is very “rude” for police to use pictures of nude women as supporting evidence in filing a case.
“We would like to put a stop to this because they are likewise guilty of violating the law (if they have sex with the prostitute),” Dalawampu said.
Commission on Human Rights’ Alejandro Alonso also believes that having sex with prostitutes during raids is legally and morally wrong.
Provincial Board (PB) Member Victor Maambong, who presided over yesterday’s gathering, said another consultation will be held later to get the commitment of police chiefs that the practice will be stopped. The consultation will be held by the PB committee on women and children.
Maambong said yesterday he will pass a resolution urging the education department to reexamine the curriculum of those taking criminology courses because they lack subjects on criminal laws.
He will also urge Congress to pass Sen. Miriam Defensor’s proposed bill making it a crime to pay for sex with prostitutes. (MBG)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 22, 2006 issue)
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