G.R. No. 270174 , November 26, 2024
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. PETER GERALD SCULLY A.K.A. “PETER RUSSELL” A.K.A “PETER RIDDEL” AND CARME ANN ALVAREZ A.K.A. “HONEY SWEET” A.K.A. “SWEET SWEET”, ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

FACTS

Accused-appellants Peter Gerald Scully and Carme Ann Alvarez were charged with Qualified Trafficking in Persons. The Information alleged that from September 19 to 22, 2014, they conspired to recruit, transport, transfer, and harbor two minor victims, AAA (12 years old) and BBB (9 years old), for purposes of prostitution, pornography, and sexual exploitation. The victims were brought to a rented house, made to drink liquor, tied with chains and cloth, and subjected to various sexual acts. These acts included being forced to lick each other’s and Alvarez’s vagina, perform oral sex on Scully, and Scully inserting his fingers into AAA’s vagina. The acts were photographed and documented using a laptop. The victims escaped on September 23, 2014. The accused pleaded not guilty. During trial, the prosecution presented the victims and several witnesses, including social workers, police officers, and doctors. The defense denied the allegations, contested the victims’ minority, and claimed they were not at the location during the alleged dates. The Regional Trial Court found them guilty, a decision affirmed by the Court of Appeals, prompting this appeal.

ISSUE

Whether the Court of Appeals correctly affirmed the conviction of accused-appellants for Qualified Trafficking in Persons.

RULING

The Supreme Court DENIED the appeal and AFFIRMED the Decision of the Court of Appeals. The Court found the elements of Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Republic Act No. 9208 , as amended, were proven beyond reasonable doubt. The acts of recruiting, transporting, and harboring the minor victims for sexual exploitation and pornography were established through the credible, consistent, and categorical testimonies of the victims, which were corroborated by the testimonies of social workers and medical findings. The defense of denial and alibi could not prevail over the positive identification by the victims. The minority of the victims was sufficiently proven by their Certificates of Live Birth, making the trafficking qualified and warranting the imposition of life imprisonment and a fine of P2,000,000.00 each. The Court also imposed interest on the fine at the legal rate of 6% per annum from the finality of judgment until full payment.