Japanese national, mother of minor indicted for trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a Japanese National and a parent of a 15-year old girl before the court for allegedly violating the trafficking in persons and child abuse act.

 State Prosecutor Noel Cellona said he found enough evidence to hold Masahiro Shinoda, 65-years old, and a 45-year old mother for trial, after they opted not to file counter-affidavits to negate the allegations filed against them.

Cellona recommended a P120,000 bail each for the mother and Shinoda’s temporary liberty for attempted trafficking and another P120,000 bail each for child abuse.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the 45-year old mother and her daughter for confidentiality.  Shinoda and the mother were both arrested on July 25, 2014 by the Cebu Port Police.

Shinoda was with the 15-year old girl, a resident of Talisay City, Cebu, at Pier 1 on July 25 and were bound for Bohol.

A personnel assigned at the help desk of the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking  assigned at the Port Area, said that he noticed the Japanese National with a minor in the departure area of Pier 1 on the said date. 

The personnel approached the minor and asked how old she is and what is her relationship with the foreigner. He said he asked for assistance and brought the minor and the foreigner to the Port Police’s Office.

Based on the investigation of the police, it revealed that sometime in January or February 2014, the mother allegedly registered her daughter at Filipina Heart, a dating website, where the minor was misrepresented as 19-years-old.

Senior Inspector Evan Epe of the Port Police said that using the minor’s account, the mother allegedly introduced her daughter to Shinoda, who needs a guide in his tour in the Philippines.

Epe said that for several times, from June 2014 until July 2014, the mother, with deliberate intent, “offered and delivered” her daughter to be in the company of Shinoda.   (FREEMAN)