Spanish national’s plea to dismiss child sex abuse cases denied
The Taguig City Regional Trial Court on Friday turned down the motion to dismiss filed by a 36-year-old Spaniard who sought the dismissal of his multiple counts of child sexual abuse cases after the supposed victim desisted.
Francisco Manuel Sanchez a. k. a ‘Franco Sanchez’ filed the motion after the 16-year-old complainant submitted an affidavit of desistance.
Also on Friday morning, Sanchez entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment before the same court. It was during this stage in trial when pre-trial conference was also concluded.
The next court hearing is scheduled on December 7, 2021, where the prosecution is set to present witnesses against Sanchez.
Sanchez was charged by the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office with 10 counts of violation of Republic Act 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law) and Republic Act 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act).
The victim, a student of an exclusive school in Taguig City, recently made headlines after she filed sexual abuse cases against Dean Edward Cheves, a director at the United States Embassy in Manila.
According to the victim, she first met Sanchez on December 14, 2020, in Pasay City. Suspect brought her at his place in Taguig City where they allegedly took illegal drugs and immediately had sex.
This incident was allegedly followed by several more sexual abuses.
A hold departure order was already issued against Sanchez, to prevent him from hastily leaving the country during the pendency of the cases.
