More evidence found in Aussie’s flash drive

CEBU, Philippines - Police found more incriminating evidence against an Australian national earlier arrested in Cordova for alleged human trafficking.

Cordova police chief, Senior Inspector Alexander Nuñez, said they found several nude pictures of minors and of their parents in the Universal Serial Bus flash drive seized from Peter James Robinson.

Nuñez said that further investigation needs to be done to identify the parents who allowed their children to be exploited for pornography for filing of the appropriate charges.

The police yesterday filed criminal complaints against Robinson and his 17-year-old cohort before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The complaints include violation of Republic Act (RA) 9775 or Anti-child Pornography, violation of Section 10 of RA 7610 or child abuse, and violation of Section 4 paragraph A and E of RA 10364 or Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Robinson, 51, a resident of Parkway Ave., Filinvest City, Alabang, was arrested by the operatives of Cordova Police Station last Tuesday while in the company of 15 minors at a resort in Cordova.

Robinson and his cohort, who allegedly served as his recruiter, waived their rights to avail of a preliminary investigation. The suspects opted to answer the charges in court.

During the operation, the police were able to rescue the minors, four boys and 11 girls. The victims were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The operation which led to the subsequent arrest of the suspects stemmed from a statement given by a 13-year-old victim who claimed to have been photographed by Robinson naked.

Robinson’s lawyer, Ferdinand Dungog, said they opted not to answer the complaint at the prosecutor because he intends to file a motion to quash the information of the case in court citing the alleged irregularity of the arrest.

“We will file a motion to quash information in court because we question the legality of the arrest,” Dungog said.

According to Dungog, during the time of the arrest, the victims were accompanied by their parents and guardians. (FREEMAN)