G.R. No. 247956. October 07, 2020.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. PRINCESS GINE C. SAN MIGUEL, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.
FACTS
The case stemmed from an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following a report of human trafficking activities near Isetann Mall in Manila. On March 24, 2015, accused-appellant Princess Gine C. San Miguel approached NBI Agent John Rolex Follosco and offered him a “gimik,” pointing to girls and stating each cost P800.00. A formal entrapment was set for March 26, 2015. The accused-appellant met the poseur-customers, called for the girls, and led them to Broadway Lodge, where she collected marked money for room payments and reminded the agents of the payment for the girls. Upon the pre-arranged signal, she was arrested.
Four females, including two minors, AAA (14) and BBB (15), were rescued. The minors testified that for six months, accused-appellant had peddled them to perform sexual activities for money. The accused-appellant denied the charge, claiming she was merely one of the prostitutes rescued and not a pimp. The Regional Trial Court convicted her of Qualified Trafficking in Persons, imposing life imprisonment and fines, which the Court of Appeals affirmed.
ISSUE
Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming accused-appellant’s conviction for Qualified Trafficking in Persons.
RULING
The Supreme Court denied the appeal and affirmed the conviction. The Court held that all elements of trafficking under Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, were proven beyond reasonable doubt. The act of recruiting and offering persons for prostitution was established through the consistent testimonies of the NBI agents and the minor victims, AAA and BBB. The accused-appellant’s direct participation as a procurer was corroborated by the entrapment operation where she negotiated prices, facilitated the transaction, and received marked money.
The Court rejected the defense of denial and the claim of instigation, upholding the lower courts’ findings on witness credibility. Entrapment, where authorities merely provided an opportunity for the accused to commit an offense, was validly conducted, unlike instigation which induces the crime. The presence of minors as victims qualified the offense, warranting the penalty of life imprisonment and the awarded damages. The factual conclusions of the trial court, affirmed by the CA, are accorded finality absent any arbitrariness.
