Two arrested for trafficking girl

CEBU, Philippines — A foreigner and a woman accused of child trafficking were arrested at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) in Cebu City last Tuesday as authorities continue to beef up security measures in the terminal.

CSBT operations manager Jonathan Tumulak told reporters yesterday that a 15-year-old girl from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was rescued last Tuesday at the terminal after she was reportedly “sold” to a foreigner for P3,000. The girl, whose name is being withheld due to the sensitivity of the case, will be turning 16 today.

Tumulak said the foreigner, an 80-year-old man from Greece, and the adult companion of the girl were arrested on the spot after they were observed to be engaging in a “transaction” at the terminal.

Based on police records, the foreigner was identified as Stefanos Karakatsanis while the girl’s companion was Nenita Ambrad Silot, 60. Karakatsanis has lived in Cebu City since 2017.

Tumulak said that last Tuesday evening the foreigner was already seen waiting at the terminal’s drop-off area for the buses from Dumaguete City.

Tumulak added they decided to monitor the foreigner from thereon. Then the girl and her companion eventually disembarked from a bus and approached the foreigner. While the two adults were conversing, the foreigner took P3,000 and gave it to Silot.

The authorities then came in and questioned the two adults, who were later found out not to be related to the girl, said Tumulak. The rescued minor said she did not know the foreigner while Silot was not her relative.

Tumulak said it was later confirmed at the police station the next day that the two adults were possibly liable for human or child trafficking. The two suspects and the girl were also interviewed by the Inter-Agency Council against Human Trafficking.

He said the incident was only revealed yesterday after the cases were already filed before the prosecutor’s office against the two adults.

Both were charged for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and R.A. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Tumulak said the girl is already in a facility under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The girl was not turned over to her parents because it was also discovered that the parents knew the foreigner. — BRP (FREEMAN)