Polish national arrested for 'trafficking' minor

CEBU, Philippines - A Polish national has been arrested for alleged trafficking of a minor yesterday afternoon.

Miroslaw Nieczaja, 59, was apprehended by the police at around 2 p.m. at the Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, said Police Officer 3 Raymon Pepito, investigator of San Remigio Police Station.

“Gikan ni sila sa Bantayan (Island) ug midunggo sa Hagnaya. Musakay na unta ni sila og Ceres bus pero na-ispottan man sa atong stationed police didto nga minor ang kuyog sa foreigner," Pepito said.

Pepito said they immediately went to the area together with the staff of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

In their investigation, Pepito said Nieczaja told them that he was deceived by the girl who said that she was already of legal age. The foreigner said he was not aware that she was still 17.

“Ang gi-reason niya, giilad daw siya. Eighteen years old na daw ang babaye ug nituo siya dayon,” Pepito added.

It was also found out by police that the suspect and the minor met last year through the Internet and entered into a relationship.

“Through chat, nagka-uyab sila pag December 2016. Di pa gyud siya kasabot og English ug nigamit og phone translator,” Pepito said.

Pepito said the minor requested police to let her go home as it was her fault in the first place and not Nieczaja’s.

But police sent the minor into the custody of MSWDO while the suspect has been detained at the San Remigio Police Station.

Though Nieczaja can be considered a victim after the minor tricked him, he still violated Republic Act 9208 or “Qualified Trafficking in Person."

Pepito said the suspect will be charged today. (FREEMAN)