Australian charged with child abuse in Angeles City

KASAMA Vol. 17 No. 3 / July-August-September 2003 / Solidarity Philippines Australia Network

Terrence George Matthews, 56, an Australian national from Sydney who resides in Angeles City is charged with violating Philippine Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. Matthews and his wife, Editha, operate Club Fantastic in the city's red light district.

Along with Terrence and Editha Matthews, the club's "mamasan" Rea Dela Cruz, Shirley Delbo, Rital Samudio and American national Thomas Glenn Jarrel are accused of allegedly employing a child below 15 years old without a permit and for inducing child prostitution by hiring at least three minors as erotic dancers in a bar.

These criminal charges arise from a raid conducted last November by undercover National Bureau of Investigations officers and child protection agency staff on Club Fantastic and the G-Spot Club in Fields Avenue. Girls rescued from the bars are now undergoing therapy and rehabilitation at the PREDA Foundation Children's Home. Recently, one of the girls was interviewed for a TV program; she vowed to seek justice and never return to a life in bars again.

The case against Matthews and his co-accused continues in the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 60.

Source:
PREDA (People's Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation, Inc.,
Upper Kalaklan, Olongapo City, Philippines.
Web site http://www.preda.org/
Email: preda@info.com.ph