Swedish national faces raps for trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - A Swedish national is now facing a criminal case before the trial court for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl in exchange for money.

In a resolution, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office found sufficient evidence to hold Lars Goran Wuttke, who currently lives in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, for violation of Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).

The prosecution said the act of Wuttke is within the scope of the law.

Since the victim is a minor, the crime allegedly committed was considered qualified trafficking, which carries a higher penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than P2 million but not more than P5 million, if found guilty.

The case stemmed from the complaint of the minor (name withheld in adherence to the confidentiality provision of the law) who cried foul over the alleged lascivious act of Wuttke.

In her complaint-affidavit, the minor disclosed that on January 15, she was with her friend near the vicinity of a hotel along Pelaez Street, Cebu City when Wuttke engaged them in a conversation and invited them to a bar supposedly to have snacks.

"Lars seemed to be very nice and fun to be with that I did not notice that I had consumed more than four bottles of San Miguel Light. It was only then that I felt dizzy and drunk," she recounted.

Wuttke reportedly asked the minor to go to a pharmacy to buy some medicine so she would feel better to which she assented.  Wuttke paid the bill and asked the victim's friend to wait for them.

The victim said she noticed that they were heading to the second floor of the building.

"It was in my mind that we are going to a pharmacy but I was just so dizzy to ask Lars (Wuttke) our whereabouts. We entered a room and Lars guided me to a bed where he told me to rest for awhile so I would feel better," she added.  While inside the room, the foreigner allegedly then took sexual advantage of the minor and assured her of money after having sex.

Wuttke then later phoned and invited his friend to come over. He again assured the victim that his friend would pay her P2,000 for sex.

After that incident, the minor said she demanded the money from Wuttke but to no avail. She said the foreigner had been avoiding her since then, which prompted her to confess to a friend.

While the victim and her friend were talking, her mother overheard the conversation and confronted the minors. Angered by the incident, the mother made consultations and eventually decided to file case.  Wuttke failed to submit his counter-affidavit to refute the allegation. He could not avail of bail since the offense is non-bailable. (FREEMAN)