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American convicted of human trafficking, sexual abuse of 3 minors in Cagayan de Oro City

Philippines | National

American convicted of human trafficking, sexual abuse of 3 minors in Cagayan de Oro City

By Jeffrey Damicog

An American has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Cagayan de Oro City regional trial court (RTC) for human trafficking and sexual abuse of three minors, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said on Sunday, Sept. 10

In a statement, IACAT identified the American as Sebastian Alexander Altamirano, 48, also known as "Afam," who hails from Los Angeles, California, United States.

“On Aug. 31, 2023, he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by Acting Presiding Judge Nannette Michote Lao of Branch 19, RTC in Cagayan de Oro City, of two counts of child prostitution under Section 5(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, one count for other acts of child abuse under Section 10(b) of RA 7610, and one count for qualified trafficking in persons under Section 4(a) in relation to Section 6(a) of RA 9208 as amended by RA 11852,” IACAT said.

“For the crime of qualified trafficking, Altamirano was sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of P1 million,” it added.

The IACAT said Altamirano moved to Cagayan de Oro City where he operates a chiropractor clinic.

“He was arrested after three minor children, ages between 13 and 14 years old, were rescued from his condominium in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City in January 2022,” it said.

News reports said that Altamirano was arrested after operatives of the Cagayan de Oro City Police raided his condominium unit in Barangay Camaman-an where authorities found minors unrelated to him.

IACAT said the police conducted the raid based on the report of a 34-year-old mother who sought help from authorities.

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