A 45-year-old Australian national is facing charges for violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act after he was caught traveling with six minors who were not related to him on an island-hopping trip in northern Cebu.

Police Executive Master Sergeant Yuri Colonia, an investigator at the San Remigio Police Station, said the foreign national was intercepted by tourist police upon arrival at Hagnaya Port. Authorities noticed that the six female companions were minors, aged 15 to 17.

According to the minors, they were on their way to Bantayan Island for an island-hopping activity. However, the law strictly prohibits adults from bringing minors on such trips unless they are relatives.

"It was later discovered that these were minors, with the eldest being 17 years old and the youngest 15," Colonia told the media.

Further investigation revealed that the Australian national was in a relationship with a friend of the six minors, but she did not join them on the trip.

"He was not in a relationship with any of the six; they were just friends. His girlfriend was supposedly a friend of the six minors, but she did not join them, according to him," Colonia added.

The Australian national also failed to present his passport upon request.

Police later discovered that the foreigner had an existing complaint involving a minor, further complicating his legal situation.