Philippine News Digest 49
February 06 - February 14, 2003
Contents:
37
minors rescued from jails
American
suspected paedophile ordered arrested
Children of war need toys, crayons
37
minors rescued from jails
A total of 37 minors were rescued from jails all over Luzon and
many more were provided with their basic needs and legal assitance since
the PREDA Foundation began its jail rescue and minotoring project early
last year. Of the 37 minors, 20 have been released in recognizance to
their parents and 17 were transferred to rehabilitation centers where they
could hope for a better future. The impact of the PREDA program is also
manifested in the fact that there is less
minors in jails now than before it began as police and other
authorities have become aware of their responsibilities and of the rights
of children in conflict with the law. The PREDA Jail Rescue and Monitoring
Team also lobbies for the enactment of the juvenile justice bill long
pending in the Senate and Congress. Source:
Internet News Network, 14 February 2003.
American
suspected paedophile ordered arrested
Family Court Judge Renato J. Dilag ordered the arrest of
American suspected paedophile Charles Duane Eckdahl January 31 after the
latter failed to attend the arraignment set on the said date. Eckdahl, 61
years old, is charged with violation of Republic Act 7610 also known as
Special Child Protection Law for allegedly sexually abusing two boys in a
motel in Olongapo City. The two boys, aged 14 and 15 years old, admitted
to police during investigation that Eckdahl sexually abused them several
times after letting them watch pornographic films on VCD. They also
claimed that the American promised to buy them clothes and to bring them
to Baguio or the United States. Judge Dilag of the Olongapo City Regional
Trial Court Branch 73 cancelled the P40,000 bail bond and ordered the
arrest of Eckdahl.
Children of war need toys, crayons
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