WHO executive wanted 'victims' to call him 'Daddy'

MANILA, Philippines - A World Health Organization (WHO) official accused of raping minors allegedly used both bribes and threats to ensnare his male victims, asking them to call him “Daddy” or “John.”

At least six children who were reportedly molested by Australian doctor Marcus Halton Hodge were brought to an undisclosed place in Metro Manila for therapy.

Hodge, 47, works as program development and operations officer at the WHO office in Manila and has been based in the country for seven years.

The victims gave their aliases as Melody, 12; Nicole, 15; Caramit, 12; Kimberly, 11; Ashley May, 13; and Jessica, 14, all from Pasay City.

In an interview with The STAR, the children said they met Hodge through Wilson Dizon Culling, 21, who also hails from Pasay City. Nicole said Hodge was introduced to them by Culling as “Daddy” or “John.”

“All of us, we’re just curious about him because he is known in our community as a handsome and rich guy,” Nicole said in Filipino. The victim, however, did not say how Hodge became known in their community.

Nicole said his parents were jobless and his sister is the only one who is earning for the family.

Among the six victims, Melody said he was the first to meet Hodge.

The victims said Culling brought them to Hodge at the Rockwell Condominium in Makati City. They said they had to perform a 10-minute oral and anal sex with the suspect inside his parked car at the Rockwell parking lot.

Nicole said while he and Hodge were having sex, Culling would sit at the back of the car and serve as a lookout.

The victims also claimed there was a video camera in Hodge’s car recording the incident. They said they also noticed pornographic films, lubricant and condoms inside the car.

After having sex, Nicole said Hodge would take a picture with the victim using his digital camera, then give Culling money. Culling would later hand the victim P300.

Nicole, Melody and Caramit said they used the money to buy make-up, shoes and lingerie.

Kimberly gives the money from Hodge to his mother, who would ask him if he “visited Daddy again.”

Ashley May said he used the money for his school expenses. She said his father is jobless and his mother works as a laundrywoman.

Hodge was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Friday night at the parking lot of the Rockwell Condominium while having sex with Melody, who had tipped off the staff of GMA 7’s Imbestigador program.

Melody said he was told by a staff of Imbestigador to meet Hodge so he would be caught in the act of molesting a child.

The children appealed to social workers who are currently taking care of them to allow them to return to their families and resume their schooling.

Nicole is an incoming fourth year high school student; Melody and Jessica incoming fifth-graders; Caramit and Kimberly incoming fourth-graders; and Ashley May, an incoming second year high school student.

Meanwhile, a government social worker said they would assess the children with the help of doctors, social workers and psychologists.

She said they hope that “all the concerned agencies will be serious in addressing this problem of the children because at a very young age they are being used for sexual exploitation.”

“I hope the law is stronger than the money,” the social worker said.