Briton may also face trafficking charges

CEBU, Philippines - The British national who was arrested at a hotel in Cebu City Wednesday may face child abuse and expanded human trafficking charges should statements of the victims warrant.

Senior Insp. Michael Virtudazo of the Anti-Cybercrime Group 7, said they are still awaiting the affidavits of two girls, one is 15 years old while another claims to be 19 years old.

For now, Christopher John Bragoli, 57, a dance instructor, is facing a child abuse charge.

The law prohibits anyone from checking in a hotel with a minor without the consent of the parents of the child, Virtudazo said.

The two girls were brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development - 7 Crisis Intervention Unit after they were rescued the other night. Social workers will be the ones to talk them and get their official statements.

Virtudazo said a condom, laptop, cellular phone, and camera were seized from the hotel during the operation.

He said they will ask the court to allow them to examine the data in the gadgets, as there is reason to believe they may contain pornographic materials. 

Bragoli has denied the accusations and said the girls followed him at their own will. He said he met the girls on Facebook while he was still in Japan and decided to meet them in Cebu. He arrived only last Sunday.

PO1 Lovelyn Carague of the the Women’s’ and Children’s’ Protection Desk of Police Station 2 said Bragoli allegedly lured the minors to have sex with him and pose naked in front of him for a photo shoot but the girls reportedly refused.

Chief Insp. Weldimar Tui of the Fuente Police said they have already advised hotel administrators to report to police suspicious personalities that check into their establishments with minors.

He said that aside from Bragoli, there are reportedly about 10 foreigners in Cebu that are engaged in acts that violate the Anti-Child Abuse and human trafficking laws.  (FREEMAN)