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MANILA, Philippines — The first public official involved in human trafficking has been convicted by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 9.
Judge Amelia Tria-Infante meted out the penalty of life imprisonment to Police Officer 2 Dennis A. Reci and his co-accused Feliciano Manansala after finding them guilty of qualified trafficking, the gravest offense under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (Republic Act 9208).
Reci, while still a policeman, owned and operated 8RC bar, which he and his associate Manansala used as a front for child prostitution.
They were arrested by the Philippine National Police on the report of undercover operatives of International Justice Mission (IJM), a human rights agency working against trafficking in persons.
During the raid of the bar, police also rescued two minor girls, who were later given immediate medical attention. Nine adult women also found in the establishment were accorded social services.
Senior State Prosecutor Deana Perez of the Department of Justice filed charges of qualified human trafficking against Reci, Manansala, and a John Doe who fled during the raid.
She and lawyer Reynaldo H. Bicol, Jr., director of legal intervention of IJM, prosecuted the case.
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 non-government organizations.
