Court acquits ‘pimps’ of human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - A couple accused of qualified trafficking in 2011 burst into tears after the Regional Trial Court ordered their acquittal for insufficiency of evidence. 

Ricardo and Myrla Ramos were acquitted by RTC Branch 18 Judge Gilbert Moises after the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to prove their guilt.

“The court is not oblivious of the efforts of the prosecution in trying to discredit the testimony of the accused but the fact remains that the burden of proof is still with the prosecution, which it must convincingly discharge regardless of the weakness of the evidence of the accused. Failing in which, the court is left with no other recourse but to acquit the accused,” the eight-page decision read.

On April 14, 2011, Ricardo and Myrla were arrested by the police for allegedly conniving with each other in hiring an 18-year-old girl for the purpose of prostitution and offered her to customers for sex in exchange for money.

The victim testified that on April 14, 2011, the accused recruited her for sexual exploitation. She said she would get P1,000, to P2,000 per week as share from the accused. However, during cross examination she admitted that her statements in her affidavit were false.

 Police Officer 2 Jason Ruiz and Police Officer 3 Calixto Perez of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch testified that they conducted an entrapment operation against the accused after they received information of their alleged illegal activities.

 Ricardo and Myrla denied the allegations and claimed that they were arrested and brought to the police station without a warrant of arrest.

 They, however, admitted that the victim was their boarder but said they had no idea on her means of livelihood.

 “Nagpasalamat gyud mi sa Diyos kay wa gyud mi’y sala,” the Ramos couple said, while in tears.

 Moises said the police officers conducted an entrapment operation without conducting a separate surveillance and relied solely on the information given to them by the International Justice Mission.

 He also said the purpose of immediately giving the marked money to Ricardo was to ensure that he would be found positive of ultra violate power when subjected to laboratory examination.  Moises cited that the admission of the victim that she lied in her affidavit cannot be taken lightly.

 “She swore to the truth thereof before a public prosecutor despite her knowledge that some of it was not true. The court cannot sustain such low regard of the solemnity of an oath,” the decision read.

 Meanwhile, IJM deputy field office director lawyer John Tanagho said that they have yet to review the court’s decision to determine whether an appeal is warranted.

 He also said that the organization respects the decision of the trial court. — (FREEMAN)