German, Briton face trafficking charges

CEBU, Philippines - Criminal complaints for human trafficking were filed before the Prosecutor’s Office against two foreigners recently arrested in Cebu.

British national Christopher John Bragolli, 57, assisted by his legal counsel, lawyer Lanie Villarino chose to answer the allegations filed against him by the operatives of Anti-Cybercrime Group of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Villarino told the media that his client is given ten days to file a counter-affidavit to answer the complaints for violation of Section 6 (attempt to commit child prostitution) and Section 10b (other acts of abuse) of Republic Act 7610 and a violation of Section 4a of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

“We avail the preliminary investigation… We are denying everything,” she added.

The complaints are handled by state prosecutor Sarah Vanessa Lacno.

Bragolli, a hip-hop dance instructor in one of the universities in Japan, was arrested on Wednesday by the operatives of Anti-Cybercrime Group after he was caught in a hotel with a 15-year-old minor and a 19-year-old girl.

Senior Inspector Michael Virtudazo earlier said continuous surveillance operations were conducted after the arrival of Bragolli in Cebu. On Wednesday, Virtudazo said they found out that he checked in a hotel in Juana Osmeña Street, together with the two girls.

Together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force-7, and International Justice Mission, they coordinated with the management of the hotel that lead to the arrest of the Bragolli and the rescue of the two girls.

Meanwhile, German national Dietmar Karl Moenig, 65, assisted by lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, manifested before state prosecutor Ethel Miel of the Cebu provincial Prosecutor’s Office that he will avail of his right to preliminary investigation.

Dela Cerna told the media they will file a counter-affidavit on the complaints for qualified trafficking, two counts of acts of lasciviousness and rape filed against his client.

Lawyer Noemi Truya-Abarintos of the Children’s Legal Bureau said prior to the arrest of Moenig inside a subdivision in Barangay Gabi, Cordova town on Wednesday, Cordova police placed Moenig under two-month surveillance before applying for a search warrant before Judge Mercedita Ignacio of the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City.

Abarintos said the police rescued a 14-year old girl inside the rented house of Moenig and were able to seize a USB, underwear, swimsuits and cellphones. She, however, said there was no pornography components recovered.

Dela Cerna told the media that on Monday they will be filing a motion to quash search warrant. He said what was indicated in the search warrant is for the recovery of the cellphone and that the other seized items were “quashable.”

The victims are now under the custody of DSWD-7. — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)