PHILIPPINES
The Gulf Today
By Manolo B. Jara August 06, 2017
MANILA: Police on Saturday said the Filipino priest arrested and indicted for allegedly “booking” the sexual services of a 13-year-old girl could face up to 12 years in jail if convicted by a regional court.
Police explained the stiff jail term was the maximum penalty that a court could impose for those accused and found guilty of violating the country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
At the same time, Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, the head of the Metro Manila Eastern Police District, appealed to other victims to surface and file charges against Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos, 55, who was arrested in suburban Marikina City on July 28 along with a minor aboard a late model sport utility vehicle he was driving on their way to a motel.
Sapitula said his office has received reports that Lagarejos allegedly victimised other minors in Marikina and Rizal province in Southern Luzon but they were afraid to file complaints because the priest allegedly threatened them with a gun.
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