G.R. No. 195419 ; October 12, 2011
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. HADJA JARMA LALLI y PURIH, RONNIE ARINGOY y MASION, and NESTOR RELAMPAGOS (at large), Accused. HADJA JARMA LALLI y PURIH and RONNIE ARINGOY, Accused-Appellants.

FACTS

Accused-appellants Hadja Jarma Lalli and Ronnie Aringoy, along with Nestor Relampagos (at large), were charged with Illegal Recruitment (Criminal Case No. 21930) and Trafficking in Persons (Criminal Case No. 21908). The prosecution’s evidence, as established by the RTC and affirmed by the CA, showed that on June 3, 2005, in Zamboanga City, Aringoy and a companion offered Lolita Plando a job as a restaurant entertainer in Malaysia. Lolita agreed. The following days, Aringoy coordinated with Lalli, who assured Lolita that her sister’s passport could be altered to bear Lolita’s picture. On June 6, 2005, Aringoy gave Lolita the altered passport, a boat ticket, and cash. Lalli and Relampagos then escorted Lolita and other women to Sandakan, Malaysia. They were brought to a club in Kota Kinabalu, where they were informed they owed a debt and would have to work as entertainers to pay it off. Lolita was forced into prostitution at the “Pipen Club” from June 14 to July 8, 2005, where she was sexually abused by multiple customers. She eventually contacted her sister for rescue. The RTC found accused-appellants guilty of both charges committed by a syndicate and sentenced each to life imprisonment, fines, and damages. The CA affirmed the RTC decision in toto.

ISSUE

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the conviction of accused-appellants for Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons.

RULING

The Supreme Court DENIED the appeal and AFFIRMED the decision of the Court of Appeals. The Court held that all elements of Illegal Recruitment in large scale and Trafficking in Persons were proven beyond reasonable doubt.
1. On Illegal Recruitment: The Court found that accused-appellants, without the necessary license or authority from the POEA, engaged in recruitment and placement activities by promising Lolita Plando employment in Malaysia. The crime was committed in large scale as it was proven that they also recruited at least three other women (Honey, Michele, and two others), satisfying the requirement of three or more persons individually or as a group.
2. On Trafficking in Persons: The Court found that accused-appellants recruited and transported Lolita Plando from Zamboanga City to Malaysia for the purpose of exploitation, which included prostitution and sexual intercourse through force and abuse of vulnerability. The acts of providing a fraudulently altered passport, delivering her to a prostitution den, and the subsequent sexual exploitation constituted trafficking under Republic Act No. 9208 .
3. On Credibility of Witness: The Court upheld the findings of the trial court, giving great weight to the testimony of Lolita Plando, which was found to be clear, credible, and consistent. The defense of denial and alibi by the accused-appellants could not prevail over her positive identification.
4. On Penalties: The penalties imposed by the lower courts—life imprisonment and fines for each offense—were affirmed as being in accordance with law. The Court also sustained the award of moral and exemplary damages to the victim.
*Accused-appellants were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crimes of Illegal Recruitment committed in large scale and Trafficking in Persons.*