PREDA reports to DSWD that more children were abused in Puerto
Galera and requested immediate action to rescue them
Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
15 March 2004
Director Thelsa Biolena
OIC- Regional Director
DSWD Field Office IV
Alabang, Zapote Road
Dear Director Thelsa Biolena,
I am sending you a copy of my letter to Assistant Director Wilma D. Naviamos regarding the situation in Puerto Galera where as many as 25 children have been sexually abused, some of them repeatedly and as young as 8 years old. Three of these children are in the Bahay Tuluyan Home for Girls in Cavite under the care of OIC Brenie Sotto. Please rescue the rest of the victims.
I am enclosing copies of the statements of the three children that recounts the horrific abuse inflicted upon them that cries out for justice. The PREDA senior social worker, a specialist in interviewing sexually abused children together with three children from PREDA, established close rapport with the three and they have disclosed other details during the visit last March 10, Wednesday. We appreciate the cooperation of Bahay Tuluyan OIC Sotto.
There are more abused children still in Puerto Galera who have likely suffered the same abuse, if not worse. They need to be taken into protective custody and care. They too will give their testimony so that the criminal paedophiles will be brought to justice.
We cannot delay any longer in this vital and important matter to protect children and fulfill our spiritual, moral and legal obligations under Philippine and international laws. The rights of these children and the dignity of the Filipino people have been grossly violated and abused. The two foreign paedophiles are in the jail awaiting the decision of the prosecutor which is delayed for reasons we don't know. The evidence is powerful and strong against the American and German suspects. The US and German authorities are supporting the prosecution of the suspects here in the Philippines and want the Philippine social welfare and justice system to succeed.
The prosecutor says it is not sufficient. We are appalled but are ready to return to Cavite and interview the children in a child-friendly manner as they already opened up so much to the PREDA children and social worker. The NBI female officer was present and also the investigator from the US Embassy who is assisting so that they too can file charges against the American national lest he ever escape. The NBI and US Embassy is providing help to restore the damaged hard disk that shows the video pictures of the sexual abuse .
The children cannot be properly protected in the community as they are being pimped by parents and relatives there. The pedophiles reside there, it is a dire circumstance. We appeal to you to send more experienced social workers to Puerto Galera to contact the many other child victims and take them into care and custody as mandated by law.
We at PREDA are offering all the assistance we can. We are willing to give protective custody and therapy to the children and provide legal assistance with your permission and endorsement. This assuredly is in the best interest of the child and of justice. We are appealing to the Secretary of the DSWD to give you all the assistance and logistical financial support you need for this important and high profile task.
We are reporting here and now further knowledge and evidence of similar sexual crimes based on the statements of the children. Here are the names of six more children who have been severely abused on the island and many more who have already been identified but not given protective custody. Some are brothers and sisters like the Pagsanjan situation.
Carol Capintin, 6 years old
Carlo Capintin, 10 years old
Karen Capintin, Grade 5
Alpa, 6 years old
Eliza, 11 years old
Lovelyn, Grade 3
These children and the ones in Bahay Tuluyan in Cavite describe their experiences in detail, the sexual acts of oral sex and acts of penetration, fingering and being sodomised. There is always a video camera there and they have been shown videos with acts of sexual abuse.
They are paid P150 for every time they are brought to the house of the foreigners by one of the parents. One reported being raped every night. They have described all the acts clearly.
These victims are known to the DSWD in Puerto Galera and we are sure that they are still in the community.
Please realise that there is a lot of cover up by some officials to protect the sex tourism industry but this has to be confronted and we are making this last appeal for direct action to save these children. We will soon launch a campaign with street rallies and massive media to help the DSWD overcome the alleged hindrance and cover up by local authorities to get justice for these children.
Sincerely,
Fr. Shay Cullen, mssc
Executive Director
cc. Secretary
Corazon Soliman
Usec. Lourdes Balanon
Usec.Merceditas Gutierrez
Bahay Tuluyan OIC Brenie
Sotto
