“Pimp” meted 20 years imprisonment

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court in Cebu City has meted a pimp with 20 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of human trafficking for engaging three women in prostitution.

RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras also ordered Ramil Ostia to pay a fine of P1 million. Ostia was found guilty for violation of Section 4 (a) of Republic Act 9208 otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act as amended by Republic Act 10364 also known as Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

“Conclusively, it is the considered opinion of this court that the prosecution was able to establish by competent evidence the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt,” Peras ruled.

Ostia was arrested on August 26, 2011 during an entrapment operation conducted by the members of the regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force-7.  An undercover policeman, PO3 Napoleon Talingting Jr., said Ostia met with them at Papa’s Resto Bar along V. Rama Avenue together with three women.

Ostia reportedly offered the sexual services of the three women for P3,000 each. After a transaction was consummated Ostia was placed under arrest while the three women were rescued and turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Ostia denied pimping the women, saying he only knew one of the three because they go out every weekend. The woman is allegedly working as bar dancer and massage therapist at the same time.

Ostia, however, admitted during cross examination that there were times that he offered sexual services of his female friends for a fee to interested men. — (FREEMAN)