American arrested for abuse charges

CEBU, Philippines – An American engaged in missionary work in Madridejos was placed under arrest for allegedly exploiting minors in the town.

Gary Lee Rohn, 69, a former reserve officer of the United States Army, was charged for alleged violation of the Section 10, Article VI of Republic Act 7610 or the anti-child abuse law before the provincial prosecutor’s office yesterday.

Seven minors aging three to 15 years old signed the complaint against Rohn, alleging he had kept them in his house in barangay Talanga in Madridejos.

Aside from child abuse charges, Rohn is also facing charges for resisting arrest and disobedience to persons in authority.

Social workers Jessica Dayon and Alphamina Saagundo said the arrest was a result to reports that two of the minors were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse.

The social workers said the parents and guardians of the children had willingly allowed their children to stay or live in Rohn’s house because the respondent would reportedly give their children food or money.

Rohn was arrested with the children still in his house. He, however, got angry and tried to resist and fought with policemen when he was being handcuffed.

In an interview with reporters, Rohn denied the allegations, saying he is mainly helping children that go to his house to ask for food.

“The allegations against me are not true. I feed the children in my home. They knock at my door and tell me that they have no food to eat so I am helping them. They do not sleep in my house, they just come in the morning and I give them money for baon,” Rohn said.

Rohn, who lived in Madridejos since 2004, said he never asked for anything in return for the help he has been giving the children. He also denied taking pictures of the kids.

“I never ever have those gadgets and if I do, I don’t surely take pictures with the kids,” Rohn said.

Rohn got married to a Cebuana in 2001 but described the marriage as “tragic” because his wife reportedly got pregnant by another man. He alleged the woman only wanted his money.

The children are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development while Rohn is under the custody of the provincial police office. — Jasmin R. Uy and Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)