Charges of trafficking and abuse were filed in court yesterday against the Australian accused of molesting minors in Compostela town, northern Cebu.
Hilton Reece Munro will stand trial on charges of violating RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
Also impleaded in the case was local taxi driver Gilbert Andrada.
Bail was recommended at P80,000 for the child abuse charges.
Munro and Andrada are awaiting arraignment on their case.
Since trafficking is a non-bailable offense, the two men will remain detained at the Compostela police precinct jail with 21 other prisoners pending the resolution of the cases.
The charges against the two men were filed before the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City which has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Compostela town.
SPO2 Alvin Abay-Abay said the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) have no more room for the 45-year-old Munro and Andrada.
Andrada’s wife drops food for him and Munro, frequently.
Munro, a teacher based in China, used to work in Melbourne, Australia and was a hockey player.
Immigration records showed that Munro was a frequent visitor of the country since 2011.
Munro and Andrada were arrested by the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force at a beach resort in Compostela last July 12.
Authorities rescued five boys during the operation.
The police unit received an information regarding the rampant recruitment of persons “for sexual pleasure” in exchange of money.
Authorities were able to interview a 12-year-old boy who claimed that he was sexually exploited by a certain “Sam”, a foreigner before he was paid with P500.
On July 12, the confidential informant contacted the police that “Sam” was seen with five boys aged 9 to 13 at a beach resort in Compostela.
During the operation, Andrada was seen bringing two boys outside the room of Munro who turned out to be “Sam.”
In their joint counter-affidavit, the two men admitted to bringing the boys at the beach resort.
In his two-page resolution, Asst. City Prosecutor Dionilo Mantos said there is probable cause to elevate the charges against Munro and Andrada before the court. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza