Hold order sought on Swede in abuse case

A HOLD departure order is being sought for   the Swedish national who posted  P320,000 bail on a charge of child abuse.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she wrote the  Bureau of Immigration last Friday to stop Jonny Lagstrem from leaving the cuntry.

He posted bail on the same day.

Lagstrem was arrested last week in the Cebu City port  accompanying a nine-year-old girl.  Both were waiting for a boat to leave for Masbate province, where the girl lives.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) filed the complaint against Lagstrem for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

The NBI cited section 5, paragraph b  for sexual abuse and section 10, paragraph b which prohibits  any person from “keeping in his company” a minor who is not a relative within the fourth degree or has no bond recognizied by law, local custom or tradition or performing a legal duty.

Bail was set  P200,000 for the first offense and P120,000 for the second.   Prosecutor Noel Cellona filed the case with the Regional Trial Court.

Vice Governor Magpale said the nine-year-old girl, a native of Masbate province, is doing ‘okay’ with the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC).

Magpale said they are monitoring the whereabouts of Lagstrem especially after he posted bail.

“I am just so happy that here in Cebu our commission is active and we are I think giving the right signal to these- whether foreign or local pedophile- that we mean business,” she said.

The child underwent a physical and psychological examination.  Magpale would not discuss the results but they were enough basis forher to ask  immigration officials to bar the departure of Lagstrem. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus