CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 61-year-old British National was arrested by local authorities for keeping two minor boys – aged 5 and 15 – in his rented condominium in Cebu City, Friday night, November 8.
Reports released by the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said the suspect, William Antony Paul Becket, will be charged for violation of the country’s Expanded Anti Trafficking in Persons Act.
Joint personnel of the Investigation, Detection, and Management Branch and WCPD raided the room of Becket past 10pm Friday after receiving reports from the Children Legal Bureau that he was holding minors in his condominium.
The minors, all unrelated to Becket, were rescued and brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while the suspect was arrested and brought to the CCPO custodial facility for proper disposition pending charges in court.
The CCPO is set to make an official statement detailing the circumstances leading to the arrest of Becket.
In March, police arrested five suspected human traffickers and rescued 11 minors – including a two-year-old – allegedly being used in cyberpornography during three simultaneous anti-human trafficking operations in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.- BusinessNewsAsia.com