Australian charged for trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor found probable cause to file charges against an Australian accused of exploiting girls for sex before the Regional Trial Court.

In an inquest proceeding yesterday before Prosecutor Gandhi Truya, Drew Frederick Shobbrook, 46, chose not to file a counter-affidavit but to answer the allegations in court.

He was accompanied to the Prosecutor’s Office by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-7. Shobbrook’s lawyer Miguel Duran failed to appear before the said office.

However, when Truya looked for the respondent’s lawyer, agent Rey Villordon told the latter that he was able to talk with the lawyer and was told to elevate the case to court.

“I was able to talk with respondent’s counsel, Atty. Miguel Duran and he told me that they will not avail of preliminary investigation,” he said.

During preliminary investigation, the respondent is given time to answer the allegation of the complainant by filing a counter-affidavit.

There were seven complainants. The cases filed were for violation of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-trafficking Act and RA 9775 or Anti-child Pornography Act.

Last Wednesday, the NBI, armed with warrant, raided the respondent’s house in Barangay Labangon and were able to seize various hardware, sex toys, a .45 cal. pistol and a .38 cal. revolver from the  respondent.

Before the implementation of the warrant, NBI Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat earlier said their agents conducted surveillance on the alleged illegal activities of the respondent.

During their investigation he said they found out that “lewd” photos were uploaded to the Internet by the respondent.

There was also alleged sexual contact with the rescued 15 victims who are now with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In an earlier statement Shobbrook denied the allegations, saying he was falsely accused of the crime.

Villordon said he will also be charged for the guns.

“Because of time constraint, filing of illegal possession of firearms will follow,” he said.

Villordon added aside from the cases that were filed yesterday, they will be filing more charges against Shobbrook. There are 12 more complainants.

Pending his commitment order, Shobbrook will be temporarily detained at the NBI stockade. —/BRP (FREEMAN)