Biñan court allows Italian diplomat facing child abuse case to undergo medical check-up

AMBASSADOR Daniele Bosio in a photo taken from the official website of the Italian Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A Biñan City prosecutor on Wednesday granted the request of Italian diplomat Daniele Bosio to undergo medical examination at a hospital in Manila.

Bosio, 46, was arrested for trafficking and abusing three underaged boys, all street children. He brought them from Manila to a popular resort in Biñan City, Laguna.

Prosecutor Agripino Baybay said he does not want to risk Bosio’s health condition during the entire proceedings.

“I decided that it is best to grant his request for a medical check-up,” Baybay said adding that the request was initially denied for Bosio’s failure to submit medical records. Upon compliance, he said, the request was granted but with several conditions.

The conditions include submission of a counter-affidavit so that the preliminary investigation will be put on hold; he should be escorted by the Philippine National Police to the hospital of his choice, which is St. Luke’s Medical Center, and submit the latest medical report.

But he clarified that if Bosio wants confinement in hospital, he needs to submit a separate motion.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) denied the request of non-government organization Bahay Tuluyan to transfer the preliminary hearing of the case for human trafficking and child abuse against Bosio from Laguna to DOJ.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the DOJ dismissed the motion for lack of merit.

RELATED STORIES

Italian envoy wrongfully detained in Philippines—family

Welfare group wants Italian envoy’s case moved to DOJ