returns to Flintloque to paint an Ogre.
Suspected British pedophile Barry Raymond Edwards, 58, a retired English middle school teacher, was arrested June 18 in the island resort of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
An arrest warrant and video cameras at hand, a Preda investigator and operatives from the Philippine National Police traveled to Puerto Galera to arrest Edwards. The arrest was covered by local TV network GMA-7, who kept an eye on Edwards until the warrant is served. Preda shouldered the expenses of the police to advance its campaign to bring to trial suspected sex tourists.
Edwards has been hiding from authorities since September of last year. He is charged for the rape of three minors and for violation of article 201 of the revised penal code (immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows).
Edwards was first arrested July 7, 2003 based on complaints by his room-neighbors in a hotel stating that he was seen inviting minor-aged girls into his room. During the arrest, he was found naked in bed with a 14-year old girl, alleged to have been raped. Two others, aged 17 and 18, were found waiting in a nearby room. However, the rape case against Edwards was dismissed through the recommendation of Angeles City Prosecutor Teilo Quimbao and Asst City Prosecutor Ruben Hilario. An appeal for reconsideration is now pending in the prosecutor's office filed by police senior inspector Erlinda Tuliao. Tulliao also requested that Asst. City Prosecutor Ruben Hilarion be inhibited from the case.
The Philippine National Police in Angeles City also discovered more than 200 video tapes containing Edward's sexual activities with children and dozens upon dozens of pictures of nude girls, organized in picture boxes. It is feared the videos are being duplicated and exported and possibly the pictures are being published on the internet.
Edwards immediately went into hiding after allegedly bribing officials to get bail. Upon his release, he boasted he had paid the equivalent of £2,735.00 GBP to the girls' families not to press charges.
Last September 26, 2003, Preda launched an international campaign to bring Edwards to a just and fair trial. This resulted into a world-wide outrage by child rights organizations and individuals who demanded that urgent action be taken to attain justice. A warrant was issued for his re-arrest.
"This illustrates what a simple letter of concern can bring about. When joined with many others, they can have an impact and change the attitude of government officials and move them into action. We have to hold them responsible for the many injustices against children that is a result of their inaction or of systemic corruption," Father Shay Cullen of Preda said in a statement.
On June 1, Preda was alerted to the hideout of Edwards in Puerto Galera where he was seen with local children. A preliminary investigation in the resort confirmed this report and a copy of the arrest warrant was immediately requested from the court that led to his eventual arrest.
