German charged for 'molesting' 2 girls

CEBU, Philippines - A German national has been charged for allegedly molesting two female minors Wednesday afternoon in a motel in Talisay City.

Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation have rescued the two girls from Thomas Michael Ruhland, 38, temporarily residing in Sun Valley Subdivision, after one of the girls' father came to them for help.

Prosecutor Floralil Albert of the Talisay City Prosecutor's Office, who handled yesterday's inquest proceedings, said the two girls, believed to be 16 and 17, are friends of Ruhland's former girlfriend hence he knows them.

Based on reports, Ruhland brought the two girls in one of the rooms of a motel where he allegedly took pictures of them while naked.

One of the victims allegedly accused the foreign national of sexually abusing her while inside the said room.

The father of one of the two girls asked the help of the NBI after he learnt that they were with Ruhland in a motel.

During the inquest proceedings, Ruhland reportedly said that the two girls did not say that they are minors. Thinking they are of legal ages, the suspect claimed he did not bother asking for their birth certificates.

The German national reportedly said the picture-taking with the girls is just his hobby and that he has no intention to give away or send their photos.

Ruhland is now facing two counts of violation the Anti-Trafficking Law and another two counts of violation of RA 7610 or the Anti-child Abuse Act.

Albert said Ruhland, who is now under the custody of the NBI, is given seven days to file his counter-affidavit before the City Prosecutor's Office. (FREEMAN)