Two indicted for trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - Two people were charged in court for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act after the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has found probable cause against them.

Prosecutor Simaco Labata  indicted Marcos Gregorio Cerillo, of Mandaue City, and Jonalyn Mantiles, of Inayawan, Cebu City, for violations of Section 11 and 4 of Republic Act (RA) 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and rape.

Labata recommended P200,000 bail each for Cerillo and Mantiles on the human trafficking charge. However, no bail was recommended for Cerillo on the rape charge.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed a 21-year old victim who alleged that on May 25 at around 7 p.m. she was invited by Mantiles to accompany her to a pension house where she would be meeting her textmate.

 Mantiles reportedly introduced the victim to Cerillo, who claimed to be a businessman. The victim, name withheld by The Freeman, said Mantiles discouraged her from going home because it was already late at night and asked her to stay in the pension house instead to which she agreed.

Mantiles and Cerillo allegedly went out of the pension house at about 9 p.m. leaving her alone in the room. One hour later, Cerillo went back without Mantiles.

Cerillo pretended to be looking for Mantiles and locked themselves inside the room and raped her.

Labata ordered Cerillo and Mantiles to file their counter-affidavits but both of them failed.  (FREEMAN)