A 68-year-old Danish national is facing trial for bringing to his hotel room a 16-year-old Cebuana whom he met through a dating website.
Peter Sten Schibbye was charged before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office with child abuse or violation of Republic Act 7610 , the the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
His bail was set at P120,000.
In her affidavit, the 16-year-old girl said Schibbye contacted her last Aug. 28 after getting her number in a dating website.
She said Schibbye claimed to be younger at 53 years old.
“I offered to meet him because I was bored. He agreed, believing I am 18 years old,” the girl said.
After meeting in a mall in Cebu City, she said she went with the foreigner to a hotel room in Lapu-Lapu City where they stayed until Aug. 31.
The girl said they also went to Bohol province and stayed in a resort for three days.
Although they occupied one, she said they slept in different beds.
Under Republic Act 7610, it is unlawful for a person to keep company with an unrelated minor in any public or private place.
The provision does not apply if the person is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity or by some legal obligation or bond.
During inquest, the teenager waived a preliminary investigation.
The prosecutor elevated the charges to the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City.
Schibbye was arrested by police last Thursday after he was seen with the girl at the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
The girl said they met at a mall in Cebu City and later headed to Schibbye’s hotel room in Lapu-Lapu City.