American facing Pasay VAWC case arrested

A 69-year-old United States national was arrested in Pasay City on a court-issued warrant in connection with an alleged violation of Republic Act (RA) 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

The warrant was served at a residential complex along Seaside Boulevard. The Regional Trial Court Branch 109 in Pasay City issued the warrant on 14 September, with bail set at P24,000.

Personnel of Sub-Station 10, in coordination with the Warrant and Subpoena Section of the Pasay City Police Station, carried out the arrest.

The accused will be turned over to the court for proper disposition of the case.

Nartatez said the arrest showed the PNP’s responsibility to enforce legitimate court processes regardless of a person’s nationality.

“Whether the person is a Filipino or a foreign national, a court-issued warrant deserves the same proper and lawful action,” he said.

“Our job is to serve the warrant, observe the rules, and respect the rights of the person involved. The case goes where it should — the proper court,” Nartatez added.

RA 9262 protects women and their children from physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse committed by a spouse, former spouse, dating or sexual partner, or a person with whom the woman has a common child. The law provides criminal penalties and protective remedies for victims.