Relatives want custody of child abuse "victim"

CEBU, Philippines - Relatives of the nine-year-old girl rescued by authorities from what was suspected to be a case of child abuse are asking the court to place the girl under their custody.

A petition for habeas corpus was filed by Jesus Mitra Jr. and Mary Jane Mitra-Evangelista, reportedly the child’s uncle and aunt.

The child is currently under the protection of the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) after she was rescued last February 20, 2012.

The Mitra couple named PWC, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and several unidentified social workers as respondents in the petition.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, co-chairman of the PWC, told The Freeman they expected such move.

“We expected that because a lawyer came to see our social worker,” Magpale said in a text message, adding that they will see the Mitra couple in court.

Earlier, Magpale also refused to turn over the child to the girlfriend of the accused Conny Logstreom who also claimed to be the child’s aunt.

Magpale said she will only turn over the custody of the minor if there was a court order.

On February 20, 2012, the child was rescued by authorities while she was with Logstreom at the Cebu Port. The two were about to board a ship heading for Masbate when intercepted by the port police following information of alleged trafficking.

When Police Inspector Romulo Alcazar Jr. asked the child how she is related to Logstreom, the child reportedly answered “hesitantly” that Logstreom is her uncle.

During the inquiry, however, the foreigner failed to show any document to prove their relationship.

Logstreom is facing two counts of child abuse charges. – (FREEMAN)