THE Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed on Wednesday that a Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Taguig City has issued a warrant of arrest against a Spanish national who is facing 10 counts of child abuse and violation of the Anti-Child Pornography Act filed by the same victim in the case of former United States diplomat Dean Edward Cheves.
DOJ Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said Taguig City RTC Branch 15 Judge Byron San Pedro issued the arrest warrant last August 31 against Spanish national Francisco Manuel Sanchez, 36, who use the alias Franco Sanchez, for violation of Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act).
The arrest warrant was issued based on the complaint of the alleged victim, a 16-year-old girl who accused Sanchez of sexually abusing her and recording on video their sexual acts.
Aside from the arrest warrant, the Taguig RTC also granted the prosecution’s motion for the issuance of a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Sanchez.
Based on the girl’s complaint, she met Sanchez on different dates in a span of three months from December last year until February this year.
The victim said he met Sanchez online and they first met personally on December 14, 2020 where he picked her up in Pasay City and brought her to his place in Taguig City where they allegedly used illegal drugs and had sexual intercourse.
This was followed by more sexual abuses involving Sanchez and his companions.
The girl claimed Sanchez recorded their sexual acts with his companions, a certain “Sam” and a certain “Gill.”
The minor is also the complainant in a similar case filed against the 61-year-old Cheves before the Pasay RTC.
The victim reportedly met Cheves online when she was just around 12 or 13 years old. They went to a motel in Pasay City where they stayed for two hours.
Without the victim’s knowledge, Cheves allegedly recorded their sexual intercourse.
The video recordings were on the devices found in Chevez’s embassy residence while he was in the Philippines.
Their latest encounter was on February 21, where the girl allegedly performed a sexual act on him.
Pasay City RTC Branch 109 Judge Christian Castañeda has also issued a warrant of arrest against Cheves, who is now in the US facing charges before a District Court in Virginia, US for his conduct in the Philippines.
Judge Castañeda recommended a P200,000 bail for Cheves.
The DOJ is considering applying for Chevez’s extradition to subject him to the jurisdiction of the Philippine court and face the charges filed against him.