Department of Foreign Affairs building. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said it will consider appealing the case of a Filipina convicted for human trafficking in Malaysia.
READ: Filipino single mom gets 70 years jail for human trafficking
“The Philippine government will study the propriety of an appeal while it expresses confidence and respect for the Malaysian judicial system,” Charmaine Aviquivil, executive director of the DFA’s Office of Public Diplomacy, said in a text message.
“Under the expanded use of the legal assistance funds, an appeal if meritorious can be the focus of assistance by the Philippine government,” she said.
The Star Online earlier reported that Juvy Banting del Rosario was sentenced to 70 years in prison for allegedly trafficking seven young Filipino women who ended up in an entertainment outlet along Jalan Bunga Dahlia in Labuan.
Del Rosario reportedly pleaded for forgiveness. Meanwhile, her counsel said Del Rosario is hoping to return to her hometown because of her four children.
However, the prosecutor argued that trafficking women for sex exploitation is a serious offense and that Del Rosario carefully planned to commit such offense. JPV