CEBU, Philippines – Police arrested Tuesday, February 4, an Australian man who was accompanied by six minor girls and were about to leave for a island northwest of mainland Cebu.
The Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said in a statement Friday that the 45-year-old Australian, whom they did not identify, was apprehended at the Hagnaya Port in San Remigio town in this province. The Australian and the minors were headed for Bantayan Island.
“Tourist Police assigned at Hagnaya Port turned over the suspect, a 45-year-old Australian national, residing at Casamera Hotel in Cebu City, after being found in the company of six minor girls,” said the CPPO statement.
The minors were aged between 15 to 17 years old and were all identified as residents of Barangay Mambaling in Cebu City.
The CPPO said the suspect was allegedly bringing along the minors on an island-hopping trip to Bantayan Island. The foreigner was unable to present his passport when he was arrested. It was an acquaintance who only later turned over the passport to the authorities.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect has a history of preying on minors in Cebu,” the police added.
Police filed complaints against the Australian for alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
As of this writing, the minors are in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Visayas Regional Office for assistance and care.
Police Colonel Jovito Atanacio, acting CPPO Director, said in a statement that the incident highlighted the need to remain vigilant in the protection of children from potential exploitation.
Rappler has reached out to the San Remigio Police Station and the San Remigio Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for more details on the incident. A representative of the police station said that they would respond at a later date while the MSWDO has yet to give a reply to Rappler’s email. This article will be updated with their response. – Rappler.com