Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) — Upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, American Robin Hoyt Alderman was arrested for human trafficking. Authorities said the suspected pedophile was set to carry-out abuse and sexual exploitation on three female minors in Manila.
Alderman’s plan was discovered after a social media provider flagged United States authorities of the acts of online sexual exploitation of children.
“A 58-year old American yoga instructor wanted to re-enact controversial scenes from the movie Fifty Shades of Grey with Filipino minors,” said Superintendent Sheila Portento, Operations Management Chief of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC).
‘US Homeland Security generated a referral and in coordination with Philippine authorities, arrested him at the airport upon his arrival in Manila before the abuse physically took place,” Portento added.
Sex toys, mobile phones, laptops and other sex paraphernalia were discovered from his luggage.
Authorities said the suspect was in Vietnam when he started chatting with the minors- two aged 15 years old and one 14 year old – in early October.
Based on the initial investigation, in his messages to the children, Alderman detailed his plans which included abducting other children.
“Initially, when he was talking with the first victim, ang gusto niya is to rent an old apartment, he will buy an old dilapidated van purposely to abduct other victims, and he will also buy a motorcycle to assist sa pag-aabduct,” Portento said.
Officials said that even if the sexual act has yet to be committed, the pieces of evidence in their custody are sufficient for charges to be filed against Alderman.
“The initial luring, enticing, or yung procuring kasi nagkaroon na ng communication, nagbayad na siya. So it is a continuous offense. So na-commit na niya yung crime,” said Senior Superintendent Villamor Tuliao, PNP WCPC Human Trafficking Investigation chief.
Since WCPC was established in 2015, 744 suspects of human trafficking were arrested and 3,233 victims were rescued in the Philippines.
The police have also filed 486 cases.
Of these numbers, authorities say 80 percent involves sexual abuse.
On Monday, PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa says the police will also focus on human trafficking cases after they stopped their anti-illegal drugs operations.
“Andami na pala nating mga bata na minors na naging biktima dito ng ganitong kaso. Dahil busy sa war on drugs, terrorism, hindi natin natutukan na yung sarili nating mga bata, infant na ginagamit sa exploitation. So ito ngayon tututukan natin,” said Dela Rosa during the flag ceremony.
Alderman is now under the custody of the PNP Women and Children Protection Group.
The punishment for human trafficking in the Philippines may reach up to five million pesos and lifetime imprisonment.
