Police filed criminal charges for kidnapping, child exploitation and human trafficking against seven persons arrested when PNP Women and Children Protection operatives, and DSWD workers rescued 19 Lumad minors in Cebu City last February 15.
Via video teleconference from the Police Regional Office in Camp Osmeña, Cebu City, the seven respondents were presented for Inquest proceedings before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Davao del Norte at the Hall of Justice, Capitol Site, Mankilam, Tagum City.
Duty Inquest Prosecutor, Atty Grazielynne C Corpuz received the information sheet under NPS docket Nr XI-03-INQ-21B-00076 for Violation of Art 267 of the RPC ( Kidnapping with Serious Illegal Detention); Violation of Section 10, RA 7610 and Viol of Sections 4i, 4j, 4k and Section 9 of RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Human Trafficking).
The Inquest Prosecutor gave the respondents 15 days to submit their counter-affidavit, after they manifested, thru an NUPL lawyer, to avail of preliminary investigation.
Two Datus, two teachers and three adult Lumad students are respondents in the case.
The case stemmed from complaints by six Ata Manobo parents of the rescued Lumad children who were herded in Talaingod Davao del Norte in 2018 and brought to Cebu City without their consent.
(PNP-PIO)
