The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking to pursue action against a former United States diplomat indicted for child abuse committed when he was based in Manila, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced on Saturday, August 7.

“The DOJ is studying possible courses of action against a former US embassy staff stationed in Manila who was recently indicted in the US for illicit sexual conduct with a 16-year old Filipina,” Guevarra said.

The US charged its own diplomat, 61-year-old Dean Cheves, after he was discovered to be sexually abusing the minor.

Cheves, who worked at the US embassy in Manila, was also found in possession of child sexual exploitation materials (CSEM).

While in Manila, Cheves “produced cell phone videos of himself engaging in the sex acts,” according to a statement from the US Department of Justice.

The US charged Cheves with one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, and one count of possessing CSEM in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

The maximum penalty for illicit sexual conduct is up to 30 years in prison, while the maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is up to 10 years in prison. – Rappler.com