Note: I am pleased to introduce you to the IJM Institute’s intern for this semester, Tim Hakim. Tim will be guest-blogging for the Institute this week, bringing you news of significant casework victories from the past few days. I’ll look forward to sharing more about who Tim is throughout this week. As always, please feel free to leave your comments and questions and Tim will enjoy the opportunity to dialogue with you on these matters.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This past week IJM Manila (Philippines) saw the conviction of a pimp accused of sexual abuse and prostitution of minor boys in Paco, Manila. After four years in litigation, Albert Sanchez was found guilty of qualified trafficking and has been sentenced by a Manila court to serve a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison. This case is particularly significant for IJM on several fronts: The charge of qualified trafficking, which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years, is a particularly serious charge requiring a more complex standard of proof, and there are only a handful of successful convictions each year on this charge. In addition, this case involved a series of difficulties that threatened to derail the case and prevent this perpetrator from being held accountable for his actions. The case’s success is a testament to God’s grace and the integrity of the Philippine judicial system to administer justice even in difficult cases. This case is also unique in that it marks the first conviction for qualified trafficking of male victims in the Philippines, even outside of IJM’s work.
