CHR probes complaints vs French national

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights in Negros Oriental is now investigating into additional complaints filed against a French national who was accused earlier of alleged violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004.

CHR-Negros Oriental chief and special investigator Jess Cañete, in an interview with The Freeman yesterday, said two Frenchmen and their respective wives have sought the help of the commission, as they filed complaints against their fellow citizen, Philippe Sencier.

Cañete said the 63-year-old Sencier has a current address at Suludpan in Bacong, Negros Oriental, a town next to Dumaguete City, although he is rarely seen at the house reportedly leased to him.

The latest complainants, Michel Vautier and Philip Faure, together with their respective wives, came to the CHR office recently because of Sencier's alleged conduct of sending them pictures of nude Filipinas and messages that tend to undermine and insult Filipinos, said Cañete.

These complainants also wanted to clear their names and aired their concerns that the acts of Sencier might affect them and the French community here, he added.

Cañete said his office has made representations with the French consul and is still awaiting response from the latter. He is hoping that the French diplomat will come to Dumaguete to attend to the complaints filed against Sencier.

Sworn statements and copies of the screen-shot pictures of nude Filipinas will be formally presented before the Provincial Board, with the recommendation that Sencier be declared persona non grata, according to the CHR provincial chief.

Just last week a preliminary hearing at the provincial prosecutor's office was conducted as a result of the charge of violation of RA 9262 filed by CHR in behalf of a private complainant, the former girlfriend of Sencier.

The woman, who claimed she was Sencier’s live-in partner for about four years, alleged that Sencier posted nude pictures of her online after they broke up.

She also told the CHR that Sencier allegedly beat her up and wanted her to engage in “distasteful” sexual acts that made her leave him.

Sencier however denied the allegations. (FREEMAN)