2 women who tried to make toddler do lewd acts get 15 years in prison

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A regional trial court judge here recently handed down a 15-year prison term each to two women after finding them guilty of attempted human trafficking, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) in Southern Mindanao said in a statement.

IACAT said the two women, whose real identities were not disclosed to protect the identities of their victims, were also fined P1 million each by Acting Presiding Judge Ma. Susana Baua of the Regional Trial Court Branch 8.

The two women were arrested during a stake-out operation here in February 2014 while in the act of coaxing a two-year-old girl to perform lewd acts in front of a computer-fitted camera.

Five other minors were rescued during the same operation.

IACAT said Baua found Janice and Joyce guilty of violating the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act, the Anti-Child Pornography Act, and Republic Act No. 7610 or the Anti Child Abuse Law.

IACAT said the conviction of the two women was a victory against human trafficking even though it was only for the lesser offense of attempted trafficking, instead of the original charge of Qualified Trafficking in Persons.

It was learned that the original charge was downgraded through a plea bargaining proposal that was accepted by the prosecution.

As this developed, IACAT announced the arrest on December 14 of a 71-year-old American for human trafficking.

George William Nolan of Michigan allegedly harbored children in his home here and performed oral sex on them.

IACAT said Nolan was under surveillance by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after receiving reports he had pending warrants of arrest for child abuse.

During the raid on Nolan’s house, a minor was also rescued, according to IACAT.

The foreigner is currently being held here and has been undergoing inquest proceeding for qualified trafficking in persons and violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law.  SFM