Italian envoy indicted for child abuse

MANILA, Philippines - Government prosecutors have approved the indictment of visiting Italian diplomat Daniele Bosio for alleged abuse of three minors last month.

After preliminary investigation, the Biñan City prosecutor’s office has found probable cause to file three counts of child abuse and human trafficking against Bosio.

In a nine-page resolution obtained by reporters at the Department of Justice (DOJ), investigating City Prosecutor Agripino Baybay III did not buy the defense of the respondent that he was just performing his social and moral duties in taking custody of the three street children and bathing them inside his condominium unit in Quezon City.

“While respondent appears to have been previously involved in activities, both here and abroad, supposedly demonstrating his fondness of and being passionate about helping underprivileged children, the acts herein complained of, as shown by the evidence at hand, are lamentably not typical or distinctive of genuine affection for and passion to help children involved,” the resolution stated. 

The fiscal stressed that if Bosio, ambassador of Italy to Turkmenistan, really intended to help the alleged victims, he should have just brought them to Breakthrough Christian Academy in Quezon City where he previously served as volunteer teacher.

Instead, the respondent provided the complainants money, food and clothing and even brought them to Splash Island in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Baybay said the mere fact that Bosio was found in the company of minors already makes him liable for violation of Section 10 (b) of Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

The provision states that “any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who in ten (10) years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other tourist resort or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000).” Prision mayor in its maximum period is equivalent to 10 to 12 years’ imprisonment.

Aside from this offense, Baybay said Bosio should also be held liable for violation of Section 4 of RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act).          – With Cecille Suerte Felipe