Suspected British pedophile arrested in Puerto Galera,
Philippines
PREDA Weekly E-mail
(June 18, 2004)
PRESS RELEASE/BREAKING NEWS
Suspected British pedophile Barry Raymond Edwards, 58, a retired English
middle school teacher was arrested June 18 in the island resort of
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. He has been hiding from authorities
since September of last year. He is charged for the rape of three minors
and for violation of article 201 of the revised penal code (immoral
doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows).
Edwards was first arrested July 7, 2003 based on complaints by his
room-neighbors in a hotel stating that he was seen inviting minor-aged
girls into his room. During the arrest, he was found naked in bed with a
14-year old girl, alleged to have been raped. Two others, aged 17 and
18, were found waiting in a nearby room. However, the rape case against
Edwards was dismissed through the recommendation of Angeles City
Prosecutor Teilo Quimbao and Asst City Prosecutor Ruben Hilario. An
appeal for reconsideration is now pending in the prosecutor's office
filed by police senior inspector Erlinda Tuliao. Tulliao also requested
that Asst. City Prosecutor Ruben Hilarion be inhibited from the case
The Philippine National Police in Angeles City also discovered more than
200 video tapes containing Edward's sexual activities with children and
dozens upon dozens of pictures of nude girls, organized in picture
boxes. It is feared the videos are being duplicated and exported and
possibly the pictures are being published on the internet.
Edwards immediately went into hiding after allegedly bribing officials
to get bail. Upon his release, he boasted he had paid the equivalent of
£2,735 to the girls' families not to press charges..
Last September 26, 2003 Preda launched an international campaign to
bring Edwards to a just and fair trial. This resulted into a world-wide
outrage by child rights organizations and individuals who demanded that
urgent action be taken to attain justice. A warrant was issued for his
re-arrest.
“This illustrates what a simple letter of concern can bring about. When
joined with many others, they can have an impact and change the attitude
of government officials and move them into action. We have to hold them
responsible for the many injustices against children that is a result of
their inaction or of systemic corruption,” Fr. Shay Cullen of Preda said
in a statement.
On June 1, Preda was alerted to the hideout of Edwards in Puerto Galera
where he was seen with local children. A preliminary investigation in
the resort confirmed this report and a copy of the arrest warrant was
immediately requested from the court.
On June 17, a copy of the arrest warrant and video cameras at hand, operatives from the Philippine National Police traveled to Puerto Galera on the request of Preda and arrested Edwards. The arrest was covered by local TV network GMA-7 who kept an eye on Edwards until the warrant is served.
