‘Parents of minors with Italian diplomat may be charged’

MANILA, Philippines - Police believe the parents of three minors found in the company of an Italian diplomat arrested for child trafficking in Laguna could face charges if they are found to have allowed their children to go with the foreigner.           

Laguna police director Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula said investigators are now checking the children’s background in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to determine how they ended up in the company of Daniel Bosio.            

“If we found out that the parents of the boys gave consent to the foreigner, they could also be charged for RA 7610 (Republic Act 7610) or the Child Abuse Law,” he said.           

Bosio is still detained at the Biñan City police station as a judge has yet to be appointed to handle the case, Sapitula said. 

Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian said Bosio was charged for violation of Republic Act 9208 (Trafficking in Persons).            

Representatives from the Italian embassy went to the Biñan City police station to check on him and told  police they would not interfere in the case, he added.

Bosio is the Italian ambassador to Turkmenistan who was on holiday here. 

The Council on the Welfare of Children (CWC) will also investigate Bosio’salleged abuse of the three minors.

Brenda Vigo, CWC executive director, said they will determine whether psycho-social support and other services have been provided to the alleged victims.

“We need to investigate this further with our partner agencies,” she said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rainier Allan Ronda

CWC will coordinate with the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children’s Concerns Desk, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Labor and Employment, to ascertain details on the matter, Vigo said.

Edna Estal, CWC information officer, said they were looking into the culpability of the establishment where the minors were found to be in the company of Bosio.

“Under Republic Act 7610, establishments should watch against the exposure of minors to sexual abuse,” she said.