A Manila court on Wednesday sentenced a police officer and another man to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of human trafficking. Presiding Judge Amelia Tria-Infante of Branch 9 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila handed down the decision convicting Police Officer 2 Dennis Reci and Feliciano Manansala, who were charged of violating Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

The case was noteworthy because this was the first time a public official has been convicted for human
trafficking.

Reci, while still a policeman, owned and operated 8RC Bar, which he and his associate Manansala used as a front for child prostitution.

They were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) upon reports by undercover operatives of the International Justice Mission (IJM), a human rights agency working against trafficking in persons.

Nine women of majority age and two minor girls rescued during the operation were later given immediate assistance.

Senior State Prosecutor Deana Perez of the Department of Justice filed charges of qualified human trafficking against Reci, Manansala and a John Doe, who escaped arrest. Perez and Atty. Reynaldo Bicol Jr., director of Legal Intervention of IJM, prosecuted the case.

Reci and Manansala are only the second and third convictions under R.A. 9208 for 2009, and the product of cooperation between government agencies and concerned nongovernment organizations.
Rommel C. Lontayao With report from Jun Marcos