British in Interpol list arrested

A BRITISH national facing trafficking and child abuse charges before Regional Trial Court Branch 33 is imprisoned in India after he was flagged down by authorities in the area through an Interpol red notice sought by local authorities.

Deputy Regional Prosecutor Barbara Mae Pagdilao Flores told reporters Thursday, July 27, that British national Lenox James Ellis is facing extradition case and will be brought to the Philippines to answer for the crime.

Ellis is currently facing charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” and RA 7610 “Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”

Pagdilao said Ellis earlier filed bail for the child abuse case and has already left the country by the time the trafficking case was filed and its warrant of arrest came out.

Last September 29, 2015, the Regional Trial Court Branch 33 has ordered the arrest of Ellis after he missed his arraignment for child abuse and trafficking charges.

He was initially arrested by the authorities on July 22, 2015, this after he was reported by his neighbor for allegedly keeping six minors in his residence in Ma-a, Davao City.

The authorities rescued the six minors who claimed to have been abused by Ellis. The accused allegedly took pictures of the children and touched their private parts.

She said they really sought help from Philippine Center for Transnational Crime for red notice status of the respondent.

She said she was glad that some of prosecutors and lawyers knew about the request and grabbed the opportunity.

Pagdilao underscored that they have recorded 95 cases filed in relation with trafficking. Out of these 95, 14 cases resulted to conviction, 14 cases were dismissed, 12 were archived, six cases resulted to acquittal and 45 cases are still active.

She added that these 95 cases involve one New Zealander who was convicted, three Koreans who are still at large, and three Americans, and the British national earlier mentioned.

To push for their advocacy in observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) will hold today a mini concert from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the activity center of Abreeza Ayala Mall.

Iacat Network will likewise launch its 2017 Song Writing Composition and Music Video Making Contest. (SunStar Philippines)