Human trafficking plaints filed against 2 foreigners

German national Dietmar “Timmy” Moenig, 65, sits at one corner of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office during the filing of two counts of acts of lasciviousness, rape, and qualified trafficking against him. Moenig was arrested at his house in Golden Meadow Subdivision Wednesday afternoon. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Charges were filed yesterday against two foreigners who were arrested by police in separate operations in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu over allegations of human trafficking.

German national Dietmar Moenig was presented by police before Assistant Prosecutor Ethel Miel yesterday afternoon.

Assisted by lawyer Inocencio De La Cerna Jr., Moenig chose to undergo preliminary investigation so he could submit counter-affidavit and refute the allegations.

Dela Cerna said he is also seeking to suppress the search warrant, saying, except for a cellular phone, all evidence taken from Moenig was illegal since they were not among those which the court ordered the police to seize.

Moenig was covering his face with a shawl during the proceedings at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors’ Office.

On one hand, the victim, a 14-year-old girl, was accompanied by officers of the Children’s Legal Bureau and her mother who is set to testify against the accused.

Moenig was charged with two counts of acts of lasciviousness, rape, and qualified trafficking which are non-bailable offenses.

He was arrested by police on Wednesday inside his residence in a subdivision in Cordova town.

At the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office, British national Christopher Bragoli was charged with violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse law and qualified trafficking.

Bragoli’s lawyer Lanie Villarino said they vehemently deny all the accusations against her client.

Assistant City Prosecutor Sarah Lacno gave them within 15 days to submit Bragoli’s counter-affidavit.

Bragoli was arrested by police last Wednesday for allegedly bringing two females aged 15 and 19 inside a hotel room in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, Cordova police is now checking an information that another foreigner is involved in human trafficking activities in the town.

Senior Insp. Alexander Nuñez, chief of Cordova police, said they will be conducting a surveillance to validate the tip and admitted it is not easy to get witnesses or a decoy.

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