Australian pleads "not guilty"

CEBU, Philippines - The Australian national who was charged for keeping minors as sex slaves in his residence pleaded not guilty to qualified trafficking and seven counts of child abuse yesterday.

The 78-year-old accused assisted by his lawyer Cherry Mae Cabrera-Cabelte denied the eight cases filed against him before Judge Manuel Patalinghug of Regional Trial Court Branch 22.

But even with the Australian national’s denial, prosecution lawyer Joann Pabriaga said they will prove to the court that the accused was guilty of the crime charged.

Pabriaga added they will present in court the victims’ medical certificates to show they were sexually abused. She added they will also present the victims as their testimonies were needed.

Counsel from the Children’s Legal Bureau said they may also present the police officers who conducted the investigation as witnesses for the prosecution. Pabriaga said the victims were doing well under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

For the defense, Cabelte said they will present all the evidence needed in court to prove that their client was innocent of the crimes charged.

Judge Patalinghug set the pre-trial conference on October 6 for both parties to present their evidence.

Armed with a warrant, the Australian national was arrested by operatives of the Naga City Police at around 10 p.m. on July 20 inside his residence at Inayagan, Naga City for keeping the girls aged 14 & 15 as his sex slaves.

It was believed the accused sent the minors to school and shouldered all their expenses.

Earlier reports said the minors resisted going to the DSWD claiming they were in good hands but later went along because they were needed in the investigation.

Meanwhile, the other child abuse case filed against the Australian national has been assigned to RTC Branch 24. Its arraignment is set on October 19 after the last scheduled arraignment was postponed.  (FREEMAN)