American caught with topless minors charged

CEBU, Philippines - An American who was arrested in Daanbantayan after being caught filming seven topless females, three of them minors, wrestling has been charged with qualified trafficking in persons, violation of the child pornography law and syndicated child pornography before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

The said foreigner, of West Virginia, USA, was arrested by Malbago Barangay Captain Vergilio Misa and Barangay Intelligence Network members Danilo Villegas and Luciano Malinao, who filed the said complaint.

    Assisted by his legal counsel, the foreigner who underwent inquest proceedings yesterday, was given until March 11, 2011 to file his counter-affidavit.

    Inquest proceedings are carried out by inquest prosecutors on cases involving persons arrested without the benefit of an arrest order.

    He was arrested last Sunday when a concerned citizen reported to Misa that he saw the American filming the topless females wrestling.

    Considering that the crime charged against the foreign national is non-bailable, he still has to be detained at the Daanbantayan Police Station until the prosecutor's office decides whether or not the complaint against him will be dismissed or filed in court.

    The three minors ages 14, 16 and 17, were from different places in Cebu City, a reason why the complaint is filed at the City Prosecutor's Office and not at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office. The other four women, all of legal age, were from Cebu City, Bogo City and Daanbantayan.

    The seven victims were recruited by a certain “Sheryl”, who reportedly told them they will earn P1,500 if they join the cat fight wearing nothing. –(FREEMAN)