IMMIGRATION agents arrested a suspected American pedophile in his temporary residence in Antipolo, Rizal.
Kenneth Ramon Price, 44, of Arizona, is wanted by the US government for sexually abusing and molesting a child.
It was reported that he took refuge in the Philippines and had been hiding since July 2004.
The US Embassy sought the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) help in locating Price upon learning that he has been living in the Philippines for seven years.
Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, immigration intelligence chief, said authorities in Arizona have sought Price’s arrest for violating the conditions of his parole by fleeing to the Philippines.
Price was earlier charged before the Superior Court in Maricopa County, Arizona, with sexual conduct with a minor, molestation of a child and sexual abuse.
“The US State Department has already revoked his passport, thus he will be deported for being an undocumented alien,” Mangrobang added.
Mangrobang said Price was arrested on May 18 by BI-Interpol Unit.
Sex-den bust
VICE President Jejomar Binay, meanwhile, welcomed the arrest of three foreigners and two Filipinos for allegedly violating Republic Act (RA) 9208, or the Antitrafficking in Persons Act.
National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) agents rescued 42 commercial sex workers after they raided a suspected prostitution joint in Angeles City, on Thursday night.
“In line with the Aquino administration’s fight against human trafficking, members of the Iacat [Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking] are working overtime in the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of labor and sex trafficking offenders involved in the trafficking of Filipinos in the country and abroad,” Binay said.
Supt. Emma Libunao of the CIDG Women and Children Protection Division, said her team and members of CIDG Task Force “Maverick” conducted police-rescue operations at the Sweet Girl Honey Pot night club on Fields Avenue in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, at about nine in the evening.
Libunao said the raid was in response to a complaint filed by Ledillia Cortez of Camp O’Donnel, Capas, Tarlac. Cortez claimed that they have discovered that her 17-year-old missing niece was being held against her will by operators of the Sweet Girl Honey Pot club.
The raid resulted in the arrest of Australians Barry Burston, 69; and Raymond Anderson, 57; New Zealander Michael Watt, 59; as well as the bar’s Filipino managers Judith Pajaron, 38, and Rossana Almeria, 22, both of Mabalacat, Pampanga.
However, Libunao said the registered owner of the club, Marites Relos, was not around during the raid and is still being sought for questioning.
She also said some of the sex workers were recruited from as far as Biliran, Leyte and Samar.
The suspects and the victims were brought to the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Charges of violation of RA 9208, or the Anti-trafficking in Person Act are being prepared against the suspects and the owner of the club.
