People vs Jeffrey Hirang

People of the Philippines vs Jeffrey Hirang G.R. No. 223528 Jan. 11 2017

Facts: Hirang was accused of qualified trafficking by transporting and providing into large scale, minors for prostitution. The prosecution stated that the minors were invited by Hirang for a good time and good earning. The NBI had a raid in the ChowKing restaurant where Hirang and some of his korean friends to whom Hirang was trading the minors, were meeting. Hirang denied being involved in sexual trade.

Issue: Whether or not Hirang committed qualified trafficking

Ruling: Yes according to the Sc Hirang committed qualified trafficking based on Sec. 6 of RA 9208. The law defines trafficking of person as the transportation, receipt or harboring of persons without the person's consent by the use of force, fraud, coercion, deception, abuse of power or position and taking advantage of the vulnerabilty of the person. In the case at bar Hirang took advantage of the vulnerability of the minors through the guarantee of good time and financial gain.