A businessman who allegedly paid for the sexual services of an underage girl was arrested in Tubigon town by operatives of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) on Tuesday night.
Ronnie Togonon, 42, of Barangay Centro, Tubigon was collared by a composite team of the Tubigon Police Station and the AKG by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Leo Moises, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Tagbilaran City.
Togonon is facing charges for violating the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act.
Information from the court indicated that Togonon, with the help of a female CICL (child in conflict with the law) who served as a pimp, acquired the services of the victim, a 15-year-old girl, in October, last year.
“They helped “each other with intent to gain, availing the vulnerability of the minor, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously recruity, obtain hire and offer a [q5-year-old] girl to engage in sexual intercourse for a fee,” the court said.
“Payment has been made after having carnal knowledge with her, hence there was consummated prostitution,” it added.
Togonon is now detained at the Tubigon Police Station. (wm)