Court orders Spaniard’s arrest over child sex raps
MANILA, Philippines — A Taguig City court has ordered the arrest of a 36-year-old Spaniard for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old Filipino girl, who had filed a similar complaint against a former American diplomat.
Judge Byron Gabbuat San Pedro of Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 15 issued the arrest warrant on Tuesday against Francisco Manuel Sanchez de Oria, also known as Franco Sanchez, after he was indicted for 10 counts of sexual abuse and one count of child pornography.
The court has issued a hold departure order against Sanchez to prevent him from leaving the country. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors said Sanchez made the victim use illegal drugs during their trysts, which happened between December 2020 and Feb. 11.
The victim had likewise fallen prey to another suspected sexual predator, 61-year-old Dean Edward Cheves, who formerly worked as a director at the US Embassy in Manila.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Cheves, who had also been charged in the United States for having sex with a minor and possessing child pornography, could be extradited to the Philippines.
