Man nabbed for trafficking 2 boys

MANILA, Philippines - A 31-year-old marketing promotions officer in Tacloban City was arrested for bringing two boys from Cebu to a hotel in Quezon City Tuesday night, an official said yesterday.

Ramil Cañete will be charged with human trafficking and acts of lasciviousness after he allegedly recruited a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old for a photo shoot for a modeling agency in Manila, according to case investigator Joyce Sagun of the Cubao police station.

Cañete allegedly flew to Manila from Cebu City and brought the boys with him without their parents’ consent.

Sagun said Cañete initially billeted the boys at a hotel in Cubao, where he reportedly molested them.

On Tuesday, Cañete transferred the boys to a nearby hotel where they would stay until after the photo shoot, Sagun said. 

As they were about to sleep Tuesday night, Cañete reportedly asked the boys to sleep beside him, but they resisted, she added. 

Sagun said one of the boys managed to contact his uncle, who informed the police.

The boys are in the custody of the Quezon City social welfare office. Sagun said their parents are scheduled to fly to Metro Manila and bring them back to Cebu.