The Supreme Court has affirmed the life imprisonment of Australian national Martin Cook for qualified trafficking in persons involving four minor boys aged 11 to 13.

In a decision issued by the Court’s Second Division, the justices upheld the lower court’s ruling finding Cook guilty of exploiting the children for prostitution inside his residence.

The High Court also sustained the penalties imposed on Cook, including a ₱2 million fine and an order to pay ₱600,000 in damages to each of the four victims. The ruling stressed the gravity of the offense and reinforced the strict application of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Records showed that the case stemmed from a joint investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after authorities received reports of minors being lured to Cook’s home. The victims later testified that they were enticed with offers of food and money in exchange for sexual services.

Two of the children said they initially came into contact with Cook through Facebook, highlighting how online platforms can be exploited to target vulnerable minors. Their testimonies formed part of the evidence presented during the trial.

In its decision, the Supreme Court clarified that a minor’s supposed “consent” is legally irrelevant in trafficking cases, emphasizing that children cannot give valid consent to acts of sexual exploitation.

The Court further ruled that mitigating circumstances under the Revised Penal Code do not apply to violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, underscoring the law’s intent to impose stringent penalties on offenders.

The ruling reinforces the government’s stance against human trafficking and signals the judiciary’s continued protection of children from exploitation, particularly in cases involving foreign nationals operating within the country.