Developments on the case of foreigners charged for employing
minors in Angeles City
Australian national Terrence George Matthews, who is a resident of
Angeles City, Philippines but was born in Sydney, Australia on February 19,
1947. Matthews is charged with the violation of Republic Act (R.A.) 7610 or
the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act which prohibits the employment of a child under 15
without a permit and the engaging, promoting, procuring and inducing of
child prostitution. His co-accused are two Filipinos- Editha Araquel
Matthews and Rea de la Cruz. An American national (Thomas Glenn Jarrel) and
two other Filipinos are also charged with the same offenses. We have
informed the Australian embassy, through Ambassador Ruth Pearce, of these
on-going cases to prevent the suspect from fleeing the country.
The above criminal cases arise from the raid conducted on Club
Fantastic and G-Spot Club on Fields Avenue in Angeles City. Matthews is the
operator of the first club where a minor was rescued and is now a resident
at the PREDA Therapeutic Community and a complainant in the cases. The cases
are presently tried at the Regional Trial Court Branch 60 before Judge
Ofelia T. Pinto. A pre-trial was held last February 21 where the two
criminal cases against Matthews were joined in the same action. A hearing is
now set every Wednesdays and Fridays of the week beginning April 4 except
holidays which means the child witness and social worker will have to travel
the two-hour drive distance between Olongapo and Angeles cities twice a
week.
A positive development on the case is the closure of nine bars in Angeles City, including Club Fantastic and G-Spot Club as a result of the concerted action by PREDA, IJM and the Philippine social welfare department. The minors rescued from the bars are also recovering from their harrowing experience through regular therapy sessions and affirmation. Recently, one of them was interviewed by a crew of a Philippine TV station and vowed to seek justice and never return to a life in bars again.
