Philippine News Digest 49
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
