Woman faces child abuse raps

CEBU, Philippines – The prosecutor’s office has indicted a woman before the court for allegedly taking photographs of a naked 10-year-old girl.

Prosecutor Misty Hupp held Nathalie Mendiola, a resident of Barangay Tejero, Cebu City, for trial for violation of Section 10, Article VI of Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as child abuse.

“Notwithstanding the denial of the respondent, the undersigned investigating prosecutor finds probable cause to indict respondent for violation of RA 7610. Her act of taking photographs of complainant naked and in various poses clearly debases, degrades, and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of complainant as a child and as a human being,” Hupp said in her resolution.

Hupp said there was also probable cause to believe that the exploitation was committed by the accused and recommended her bail P80,000.

The FREEMAN is withholding the name of the victim due to the nature of the case.

The girl alleged that on February 10, 2015 at around 4 p.m., she went to the Internet café of the accused. Later, she took a bath at the house of accused because she was filthy.

While she was in the comfort room, she said Mendiola went inside bringing a towel and a camera and started taking pictures of her nude. After taking her bath, Mendiola likewise took pictures of her in different positions in the bedroom.

The girl said Mendiola gave her P1,000.

In her counter-affidavit, Mendiola denied taking nude photos of the girl but admitted giving her money because she pitied her.

Mendiola said when she asked the complainant why she was not in school the latter told her that she had no shoes, no money and no food because her father did not have a job.

Despite her statement, Hupp found probable cause to indict Mendiola of the offense charged. —/BRP (FREEMAN)