Italian envoy cleared of child abuse raps

MANILA, Philippines - Italian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Daniele Bosio was cleared of child abuse charges after the Biñan Regional Trial Court dismissed on Tuesday the three counts of violation of Republic Act 7610 filed against him for lack of evidence.

Bosio was allowed to post bail for the child abuse case and had left the county after the court recalled the hold departure order against him.

In April last year, police arrested Bosio on allegations that he was caught swimming with minors at a resort in Biñan.

The dismissal of the case against Bosio was President Aquino’s “gift” to the Italian government when he made a state visit there recently, according to Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns.

The Palace, however, denied that Aquino was instrumental in the dismissal of the case against the ambassador.

“It was not discussed in the President’s meeting with the Italian leaders,” Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said.– Ed Amoroso, Rhodina Villanueva, Delon Porcalla