No bail set for trafficking suspect

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail against an Australian who was accused of exploiting minors.

State Prosecutor Gandhi Truya elevated the case to court after the accused, Drew Frederick Shobbrook, a resident of A. Lopez St., Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, chose not to undergo preliminary investigation.

Preliminary investigation is when the respondent is given time to answer the allegations filed against him/her by filing a counter-affidavit.

The accused was charged for a violation of Section 4(a) in relation to Section 6(a) of Republic Act 9208 or qualified trafficking with no bail recommended and violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 9775 or the anti-child pornography act with bail set at P200,000.

The complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation-7.

Based on their affidavit, NBI agent Reynaldo Villordon Jr. said they received complaints about the illegal activities of the accused.

Prior to the arrest, four girls went to the NBI sometime last March and reported that a certain Shobbrook had “sexually exploited” them.

The girls said they came to know the accused via social network and were offered by the accused to finance their studies, shopping allowance, monthly allowance and other material things.

In return, they said accused had sex with them one by one. They also said there were other girls who were victimized.

The girls also said the accused took photos and videos of them while they were having sex and uploaded these to the Internet.

Based on their investigation, the NBI were able to secure nude photos, many of them believed to be minors. The NBI said this was their basis for the application of a search warrant against the accused.

During the implementation of the warrant last Apr. 17, 2013 at the house of the accused, the agents seize computers and two homemade guns with live rounds.

Fifteen girls aged between 14 and 15 were also rescued.

Jed Sherwin Uy of the Homeland Security Investigation, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Roxas, Boulevard, Manila said he found nude photos in the computers owned by the accused. –(FREEMAN)