Transfer of child abuse case vs Italian diplomat sought

MANILA, Philippines - The complainant in the human trafficking and child abuse charges against Italian diplomat Daniele Bosio is seeking the transfer of the preliminary investigation from the Biñan City prosecutor’s office to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, head of DOJ’s prosecutorial arm, disclosed this yesterday and said they would look into the request.

Arellano said the request was made by representatives of Bahay Tuluyan Foundation, a group protecting children’s rights.

“According to them, they cannot get justice in Biñan as there have been reports of mounting pressure from Italian and local defense counsels,” Arellano told reporters.

The preliminary investigation on the charges is being handled by City Prosecutor Agripino Baybay.

Bosio is currently detained at the Biñan jail.

Police arrested Bosio on April 5 at the Splash Island resort in Laguna after they were alerted by members of Bahay Tuluyan that the Italian diplomat had checked in at the resort with three children.

Bahay Tuluyan officials Lily Flordelis and Catherine Scerri alleged that Bosio picked up the children aged 9, 10 and 12, from Metro Manila and brought them to Laguna.