Priest faces human trafficking raps at DOJ

Fr. Arnel Lagarejos (covered in black jacket). FILE PHOTO by JODEE A. AGONCILLO/Philippine Daily Inquirer

The 55-year-old priest, who was arrested after being caught with a 13-year-old girl on their way to a motel last month, is again facing human trafficking charges, this time before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos has been charged before the DOJ with two counts of human trafficking, according to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

Also named respondents in the complaint for violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act are Shaira Pedragoza, Ace Lasca, Luisa David, a minor, and several John Does.

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) head Persida Rueda-Acosta, together with the victim and her mother, filed the complaint at the DOJ and subsequently met with Aguirre.

On July 28, authorities arrested Lagarejos while taking a minor to a motel in Marikina City. He was released after posting bail amounting to P120, 000 on August 1.

READ: Priest in trafficking of minor case posts bail

“He managed to post bail on the first complaint [but] there is a pending trafficking case and then this one. Magiging tatlo na ang kaso nya,” Aguirre said. kga