THEY are now convicted human traffickers and child abusers, the two sisters Gabriela Adilyn and Roxanne Martirez from Subic, Zambales. They will serve three life sentences each in prison, deprived of family, home, children, comfort and a productive life. They are intelligent people. They knew right from wrong, but they chose to do evil, to seduce and groom and train five young teenage girls and 14 young girls over 18 to be sex workers. They made them believe that by selling themselves to sex tourists, they would have an exciting well-paid life.

In a 37-page decision, Judge Gemma Theresa Hilario-Logronio of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court found the two sisters guilty of the crime of qualified trafficking and child sexual abuse. The good judge said in her decision that the accused 'maliciously took advantage of their minority, innocence and vulnerability by injecting into their young minds the desire for material luxurious things in exchange for their dignity, not only as a woman but as a human being.' The minors must get due justice, she said, and they did. After being rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and recovering for several months in the Preda Foundation home for trafficked and abused children, they were empowered and realized they had been exploited and cheated. They decided to testify against the traffickers. They explained what happened, clearly and truthfully, and convinced the judge. The minors are now reintegrated with their supportive families and studying with the help of the aftercare program of the Preda Foundation.