DAVAO CITY, Philippines —The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, June 27, arrested an American national found in the company of three minors at a hotel in Davao City.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Charles Franklin Armstrong from North Carolina, was apprehended following a tip-off from the hotel’s tourist police.
Atty. Arcelito Albao of NBI Region XI told Newsline, all friends from Davao de Oro, had been with Armstrong for about a week.
“The minors told us during the interview that they are still getting to know each other,” Albao said.
The NBI acted on suspicions raised by the hotel’s tourist police, who noticed that the girls were minors and informed the authorities.
Aside from the three minors, another woman of legal was also found inside the hotel room of Armstrong.
When the NBI agents arrived, Armstrong and the minors were at the hotel’s swimming pool. The girls, aged 16 and 17, have been placed in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while the NBI prepares to file charges against Armstrong.
The DSWD is providing support to the minors, ensuring they receive necessary care and counseling.
Armstrong is set to face charges under Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
The law was enacted in 1992, and provides stronger deterrence and special protection measures for children against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. It imposes severe penalties on those who engage in the exploitation and abuse of minors.
Section 5 of RA 7610 specifically targets individuals who induce or coerce minors into situations where they are at risk of exploitation or abuse. The law emphasizes the state’s role in safeguarding the rights and welfare of children, reflecting the Philippines’ commitment to upholding international standards on child protection.
Albao called on the parents to always monitor the activities of their children online to prevent them from online abuse.
