Aussie faces trafficking, child pornography charges

CHARGES were filed yesterday against the Australian national who was accused of operating a cybersex den in barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

After inquest proceedings yesterday, Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Gandhi Truya found probable cause to file criminal charges for human trafficking and child pornography against Drew Frederick Shobbrook, an Australian national.

Shobbrook will face trial for violating Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 and Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

Since minors were involved in Shobbrook, the charges to be filed against him falls under qualified trafficking, a non-bailable offense.

State prosecutors will file the case in the Regional Trial Court on Monday as the court’s were already closed when they wrapped up the inquest proceedings.

National Bureau of Investigation – 7 (NBI-7) supervising agent Reynaldo Villordon said additional cases may still be filed against Shobbrook.

Until all cases are filed in the court, Shobbrook will remain inside the detention cell of NBI-7. Shobbrook will be sent to Cebu City jail after said cases are formally filed in court.

Shobbrook was arrested last Wednesday by NBI-7 after a raid at his apartment where 15 women were rescued, including four minors. Also participating the law enforcement operation were the International Justice Mission, an anti-human trafficking non-government organization and the Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking.

At least seven laptops, desktop computers, computer parts, an iPad tablet, hard disks allegedly containing explicit and lewd photographs, unlicensed .45 caliber pistol and .38 caliber revolver, sex toys, and other personal effects were confiscated by the NBI-7 agents.

In earlier interview, Shobbrook denied the allegations against him. He claims to be operating an outsourced bookkeeping business and the women found in the three-unit apartment raided by the NBI were actually data encoders.

Three of his alleged victims said they were recruited to perform lewd acts in front of cameras and have sex with him.

Through the recently signed Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, the victims are not to be identified in media reports. However, human trafficking offenders are no longer covered by the confidentially rule./UP intern Apple May Ta-as with reporter Ador Vincent Mayol