American nabbed in PH for alleged abuse of 2 girls

MANILA, Philippines – He moved from one city to another and was close to leaving the country, but Harold Roland Paddock, a US national, was not able to get away this time.

Philippine authorities on Sunday, August 10, arrested Paddock for allegedly raping a minor, committing cybercrime, and violating Section 7 of Republic Act 7610 or child trafficking.

The American reportedly started abusing two children – an 8-year-old and a 13-year-old – 3 years ago. The two girls, now 11 and 16, submitted affidavits detailing how they were “regularly sexually molested” by Paddock in a rented house in General Santos city.

They were rescued in Lagao, General Santos on Friday, August 8 by General Santos-based personnel, including those from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Authorities suspect Paddock abused up to 8 other children based on preliminary findings. 

Paddock has been shuttling in and out of the Philippines regularly prior to his arrest. After he heard about the rescue of the two girls in General Santos, he attempted to escape arrest by first going to Davao and Cagayan de Oro city, before eventually ending up in Manila where he booked a flight bound for Bangkok.

Members of the NBI, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Immigrations apprehended him at the airport. Paddock was brought back to General Santos, where inquest proceedings were held on Tuesday, August 12.

The American, however, was unable to attend his own inquest since he had to be brought to the hospital. Paddock, as of posting, is confined at a hospital in the city.

Officials said Paddock also faces statutory rape and cybercrime charges.

Investigators are also checking his links to an online prostitution company based in Metro Manila after they found pictures of women in his electronic devices. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com

Child abuse image via ShutterStock.