FOR allegedly trafficking a 15-year-old girl, an 80-year-old Greek national and a 60-year-old Filipina from Dumaguete City are now facing charges before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.
In an interview on Friday, May 3, Cebu South Bus Terminal operations manager Jonathan Tumulak said Greg (not his real name) and Fe (not her real name) were arrested at the terminal around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.
"We've received a report about him. That's why we monitored him. He was waiting near the drop-off point. He was waiting for the bus from Dumaguete," Tumulak said in mixed Cebuano and English.
According to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) 7, Greg was waiting at the arrival area when Fe and the minor approached him.
Fe then introduced the minor to Greg, who reportedly began touching the girl's hips, hands and face after a short conversation.
The Greek national was later seen giving Fe money, which was later confirmed to have amounted to P3,000.
Tumulak said the exchange was caught by the closed circuit television cameras in the terminal.
"He was immediately approached by the police personnel assigned here and our CSU (Civil Security Unit) staff as well," he said.
Upon interview with the arresting officers, the suspects failed to present proof and supporting documents of their affiliation with the minor.
Greg said he was just waiting for them to arrive.
He had promised to shoulder the girl's school expenses in exchange for her working as his house help.
Greg, Fe and the minor were also interviewed by Iacat officer-in-charge Jessa Tubilan regarding the incident. The suspects were informed of their offense.
Complaints for violating Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act) were filed against the suspects.
The rescued minor is now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (RTF)