Raps filed vs Norwegian tagged of abusing minors

CEBU, Philippines - Two counts of child abuse charges were filed against a Norwegian National who allegedly molested two minor girls at a party.

Prosecutor Simaco Labata elevated the case to court after accused Knut Foseide, 42, a resident of Cattleyard, Greenhills Subdivision, Casuntingan, Mandaue City waived his right to undergo preliminary investigation.

“After perusing the evidence on record particularly the joint affidavit of the minor complaints, undersigned finds sufficient ground to indict respondent for violation of Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” Labata’s resolution reads.

Labata recommended P80,000 bail for Foseide’s temporary liberty.

In their  affidavit, the two complainants, both 17 years old, alleged that the incident happened at a bar in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City around 3 a.m. on October 28, 2012.

They were reportedly on the dance floor when Foseide approached them and allegedly touched their private parts.

“While we were dancing at the dance floor in the annual costume party, Knut Foseide, who was dancing nearby, suddenly approached us and without any warning began groping our breasts. Terrified, we stopped dancing and ran away from him,” the affidavit reads.

“…the said Knut Foseide did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously embrace us one by one, groping our breasts and taking liberties upon our persons by force and against our will,” the affidavit reads further.

The complainants said they immediately reported the incident to the police and Foseide was arrested subsequently and detained at the Mabolo Police Station.

The complainants said that during his arrest, Foseide even called their friends unsavory names, which they (complainants) labeled as “not only slanderous but also a serious and insulting in nature.”

The complainants said their parents allowed them to attend the party with supervision of their adult friends.

In the joint-affidavit, SPO3 Roldan Paller, PO3 Romeo Cardinas, PO2 Felix Tunacao and PO1 Roy Bacus of the Mabolo Police Station said they arrested Foseide after the latter was positively identified by the complainants.

“…with the positive identification of the suspect, we placed him under arrest and appraised his constitutional rights in a language known to him and brought to the police station,” the affidavit of the policemen reads. — (FREEMAN)