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PEOPLE v. SPOUSES PRIMO C. YBAÑEZ & NILA S. YBAÑEZ

FACTS:

The case involves accused-appellants spouses Primo C. Ybañez and Nila S. Ybañez, Mariz Q. Reyos, and Michelle T. Huat who were charged with Qualified Trafficking in Persons under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The accusation stemmed from their alleged recruitment, receipt, harbor, and employment of Angeline Bonete, Kate Turado, Virgie Antonio, and Jenny Poco in Kiray Bar and KTV Club Restaurant.

The prosecution presented the victims, Bonete, Antonio, and Turado, who testified regarding their experiences working at Kiray Bar. They narrated incidents where they were made to engage in sexual activities with customers in the Super VIP rooms, and they were given money as payment for their services.

Marfil Baso, a special investigator of the NBI, also testified about the raid conducted in Kiray Bar and the evidence gathered during the operation.

ISSUES:

  1. Whether or not the accused-appellants are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of qualified trafficking in persons under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

RULING:

  1. The Court of Appeals decision upholding the Regional Trial Court's ruling is affirmed. The accused-appellants are found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of qualified trafficking in persons under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

PRINCIPLES:

  • Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Section 6(a) and (c), in relation to Sections 4(a) and 3 of R.A. No. 9208 involves the recruitment, harboring, receipt, or employment of a person for the purpose of exploitation, such as prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, done through deceit and taking advantage of the vulnerability of the victims.

  • The crime of qualified trafficking in persons can be committed by a syndicate and in large scale.

  • To prove that an accused is liable for qualified trafficking in persons, it must be shown that the victim was recruited, received, harbored, or employed for prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation and that the act was done through deceit and taking advantage of the vulnerability of the victims.