CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly using pseudonyms, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested on Thursday two Iranian nationals in Toledo City.
Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat said Hossein Malakooting alias Alex Malakooti, 30, and Mohsen Baraghoosh alias Rizah Baraghoosh, 28, both residents of Media Onse, Toledo City violated Republic Act 6085 otherwise known as Regulating the Use of Aliases.
“For using names or aliases other than their passport names by signing the subpoena in the name of Alex Malakooti and Rizah Baraghoosh when they could affix their passport names thereof and by introducing themselves as such before the authorities, the duo violated RA 6085,†the complaint read.
On Thursday, Pagatpat said his men led by Reynaldo Villordon together with representatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) went to the residence of the suspects in Media Onse after receiving complaints from the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC).
PWC lead by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale asked the assistance of the NBI after a 16-year-old girl saying she and her relatives were threatened by the suspects.
The girl lodged a complaint against the suspects before the Toledo City Prosecutor’s Office for rape on July 22, 2013.
Pagatpat said on July 30, 2013, the suspects received the subpoena directing them to answer the complaint for ten days.
When the BI and Villordon asked for their true names, the suspects identified themselves as Alex Malakooti and Rizah Baraghoosh.
When the authorities asked for their travel documents, only Malakooting showed his passport with the name Hossein Malakooting.
Representative from the PWC said when they verified before the Bureau of Immigration and the names Alex Malakooti and Rizah Baraghoosh were not in their list.
“It was clear that the two were using unauthorized names to conceal their identity to avoid criminal culpability,†the complaint read.
Villordon said when the two were asked if they were authorized to use pseudonyms, they only said they used aliases because these are easier to pronounce than their real names.
In an interview, Malakooting and Baraghoosh denied the allegation of rape. Baraghoosh said it was the girl who first texted him after they exchanged numbers two months ago.
He said the girl told him through text that she was 21 years old.
On July 13, he said the girl texted him and asked if she can go with him because she has a misunderstanding with her family.
He agreed because they were already in a relationship.
Malakooting and Baraghoosh said they were surprised when the girl filed a complaint against them.
“I don’t know why she filed a case against me. Maybe (it’s) for money,†he said.
The two also denied that they threatened the girl.
“He (Baraghoosh) loved that girl, he even wants to marry her,†Malakooting said.
Malakooting was married to a Filipina and is running a small business in Toledo City, a gold panning.
He arrived in Cebu in 2007 while Baraghoosh arrived in Cebu last year.
The two are friends in Iran. (FREEMAN)