Expat, driver face Trafficking raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office recommended no bail against an Australian national and a taxi driver who were charged with Expanded Anti-Trafficking Law.

State Prosecutor Dionilo Mantos has found probable cause to indict Hilton Reece Munro, 45, a resident of Shepherd St., Hongkong and Gilbert Andrada, 41, resident of Cebu City, for violation of the RA 10364 otherwise known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. The two were likewise indicted for child abuse wherein each of them were allowed P80,000 bail.

Although they were allowed bail for child abuse, the accused will still be in jail for human trafficking where there was no bail recommended.

Munro and Andrada were arrested on July 12, 2013 in Estaca, Compostela in the company of five minors.

The minors aged 10 to 13 were allegedly recruited by Munro and transported to Compostela in connivance with Andrada. Police investigation shows that the minors were recruited for sexual exploitation. They were allegedly ordered to pose naked in front of the camera.

Meanwhile, a resident of Moalboal will also face criminal charges in court for human trafficking.

Jenvie Cabaluna, 29, opted to face the charge in court instead of answering it before the prosecutor’s office through a preliminary investigation.

Cabaluna was arrested by the members of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RAHTTF) transporting women for foreign customers in Bohol resorts.— (FREEMAN)