Trafficking raps filed vs Danish national, Pinay

CEBU, Philippines - A Danish national and a Filipina are facing charges before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly trafficking two girls.

A charge for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Person’s Act was filed against Danish national Nicola Jacobsen, 54, and Alona Tortosa, 34, of Orel, Mandaue City.

The charges were filed by the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and the Women’s Desk of Mandaue City Police Office, who rescued two siblings, aged 11 and 12, from the suspects.

Tortosa reportedly recruited the sisters and fetched them from their house in Barangay Orel. They were then brought to Barangay Tisa in Cebu City where they were allegedly introduced to a foreigner named Nick.

Reports further showed that the parents of the girls looked for them and were informed by a 12-year-old neighbor of their daughters’ whereabouts.

At around 2:30 a.m. on January 20, the police conducted the operation at a rented house in Barangay Tisa, leading to the arrest of Jacobsen and Tortosa.

During last Wednesday’s inquest proceeding conducted by state prosecutor Van Russel Inopiquez, the respondents opted not to file a counter-affidavit to answer the allegations filed against them.

Inopiquez then recommended the filing of the case before the court.  (FREEMAN)