Dear friends and defenders of human rights

We have received confirmed reports that two notoriuos suspects of child pornography and trafficking may not be brought to justice due to alleged corruption in the Office of the City Prosecutor in Angeles City, Philippines. We urge you to read the report below and to write to the Philippine Undersecretary of Justice Hon. Maria Merceditas Gutierrez and ask her to take action through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to bring to trial Barry Raymond Edwards, 58, and Richard Douglas Agnew, 43. They could walk free if urgent action is not taken by the proper authorities.

Barry Raymond Edwards, a retired English middle school teacher, was arrested last July 7 based on a complaint filed by room neighbours at Maharajah Hotel, Angeles City stating that he was seen inviting in minor-aged girls.

During the arrest, the Philippine National Police in Angeles City discovered more than 200 video tapes containing Edward's sexual activities with children and dozens upon dozens of pictures of naked female children, organized in picture boxes. Edwards claimed that he was framed but the evidence revealed that he molested minors and he was engaged in pornography. These videos had been duplicated and exported and possibly the pictures were published on the internet.

As of September 19, Edwards was released by recommendation of Angeles City Prosecutor Teilo Quimbao and Asst. City Prosecutor Ruben Hilario on grounds of technicality.

Another case, that of Richard Douglas Agnew, an Irish citizen with a British passport is being held at the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation-Bicutan for allegedly trafficking minors for prostitution at the "Blue Nile" and "Nero's Forum" along Field's Avenue in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga. Agnew who is detained in BID Bicutan has not yet been charged by the Angeles City Prosecutor despite the evidence and the testimony of the victims under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pampanga.

You can send your letters to:
Hon. Undersecretary Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez
DOJ Complex, Padre Faura
Ermita, Manila, Philippines
E-mail: mng@doj.gov.ph

Or better yet, you can call at: +63 2 525 1680.

To verify this report, you contact PREDA Foundation at:
Tel: +63 47 223 9629 to 30
Fax: +63 47 223 9628
Mobile: +63916 5324453

Sincerely,

Fr. Shay Cullen and the PREDA team