Girl, 14, rescued; mom, German nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - The police rescued Wednesday afternoon a 14-year-old girl inside a subdivision in Barangay Gabi, Cordova town and nabbed her mother, who allegedly pimped her to a German national, who was also arrested.

The house of Dietman “Timmy” Moenig, 65, who has been living in the subdivision for almost five years already, was raided after the police received information that some minors were seen going inside.

Police Senior Inspector Alexander T. Nuñez, Cordova Police Station chief said Moenig was reportedly jobless but got by with a monthly pension.

The police operation was authorized by an October 27 search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 28 Judge Mercedita G. Dadola- Ignacio of Mandaue City.

Nuñez said they placed Moenig under two-month surveillance before applying for a search warrant.

Aside from the German national, the minor’s 31-year old mother was also arrested as she reportedly brought her daughter for Moenig to take advantage of.

The woman reportedly worked as Moenig’s house cleaner for three years.

Nuñez said the mother told them that she was only there to clean the house and do laundry and does not have any idea of Moenig’s activities.

Moenig did not give any statement when the media tried to get his side after his arrest.

The police seized from inside the foreigner’s hosue a laptop full of nude photos of minors as well as three cellphones.

Moenig was detained at the Cordova Police Station after his arrest while the mother was placed under investigation by the station’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, on the other hand, took custody of the minor.

Both Moenig and the minor’s mother would be criminally charged for violating Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003). — /RHM (FREEMAN)