Bizman charged for qualified trafficking, child pornography

CEBU, Philippines - Criminal complaints for qualified trafficking and child pornography were filed yesterday against a 65-year-old businessman who abducted a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes.

Motorcycle dealer Romeo Rañola signed a waiver of detention to avail of his right for preliminary investigation. He was given 10 days to submit his counter-affidavit.

Rañola was arrested Saturday evening with the minor-victim inside a motel in Barangay Mabolo. Operatives from the Cebu City Police Office led by Insp. Jul Mohammad Jamiri conducted a rescue operation after the parents of the victim sought the assistance of Captain George Rama of Barangay Basak San Nicolas.

The police were able to track down Rañola because of the plate number of his vehicle that the witnesses were able to take note.

The police found the victim inside the motel in Mabolo together with the suspect and two other minor girls. The police also recovered a digital camera containing nude photos of minors.

Most of the minors are believed to be students because they were seen wearing school uniforms on photos before posing nude in front of the camera.

According to the police, they have already at least two witnesses who have executed affidavits against Rañola.

The 13-year-old victim, in her affidavit, said that she came to know Rañola, whom he called Kuya Romy, through a friend.

“I have met him because I was given by my friend, to him for the purpose of sex in the amount of P1,000,” the affidavit reads.

The victim narrated that sometime in February, she and her other friend was introduced by another friend to Rañola for the purpose of having sex with the latter and they were even being asked whether they are still a virgin and both answered in an affirmative.

The three of them then proceeded to the motel. The victim said she and the suspect went inside the room while her two other friends waited outside.

The victim claims she was told what to do while the suspect took pictures of her doing what she was told. After her, Rañola instructed her other friend waiting outside the room to get inside while she was told to go out. They were later given P1,000 each.

Rañola refuses to talk when sought for comment. But, according to the police, he was previously accused of child abuse in 2007.   (FREEMAN NEWS)