Danish architect falls for human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - A Danish architect was arrested by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) at the Cebu South Bus Terminal Thursday afternoon for allegedly transporting and living with a 16-year-old girl for three days.

Schibbye Peter Sten, 53, was apprehended by Aitie Insong, IACAT Technical Assistant, after it was confirmed that he was with a minor. His arrest was done in coordination with IACAT personnel based in Pier 1, Cebu City.

Insong was assisted by Police Officer 1 Arnie Joey Medalla and Police Office 1 Rolando Tampipi of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, who are assigned at the CSBT.

Sten is temporarily residing at South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu. The girl is a resident of Ocaña, Carcar City.

Assistant City Prosecutor Simaco Labata of IACAT said that initial investigation showed that Sten violated Republic Act 7610.

Section 10b, Article VI of RA 7610 states that “any person who shall keep or have in his company, a minor, 12 years or under or who in ten years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other tourist resort or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than P50,000.”

Sten and the girl allegedly went to Bohol for vacation and returned to Cebu last Thursday.

On that same day, Sten and the minor then went to CSBT where they were intercepted. They were supposedly bound for southern Cebu.

Labata said that Sten and the girl were together since last week.

However, lawyer Dexterius John Ypanto, Sten’s legal counsel, said Sten and the girl did not have any romantic relationship. He added that Sten is also suffering from a heart ailment.

Ypanto said the minor was with the Danish national since she was applying for a job with him. Aside from being an architect, Sten has a buy-and-sell business of shirts.

Ypanto said that his client also mentioned to him that they went to Bohol but they were not alone.

When they were intercepted at the bus terminal, Sten and the minor were together since they were both bound for southern Cebu.

“Di ra sila duha didto. Daghan sila. Pero pag-intercept sa ila, sila ra duha kay padung man sila uli sa South,” Ypanto said.

The IACAT personnel filed the criminal complaint against Sten before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor yesterday.

However, they have yet to continue the inquest proceedings before Associate Prosecution Attorney III Sarah Vanessa Lacno on Monday.

Ypanto said his client will post bail of P120,000 for his temporary freedom.

Sten is currently detained at Carbon Police Station while the girl is under the custody of Department of Social Welfare and Development-7. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/LPM (FREEMAN)