Philippines police arrest Dutch pedophile, 67

Police in the Philippines arrested a Dutchman on charges of sexual abuse with two girls aged 10 and 14. Jouke "Jaap" M. was found naked with the "several children" at his home near Cagayan d'Or on the Filipino island of Mindanao, Dutch police reported, adding that his adult female partner was also taken into custody. Before the raid on his home, investigators observed the children in the house. Following the arrest, the 14-year-old told police she had been abused for the past five years. He is said to have lied about providing therapeutic treatments to gain access to his victims. The Dutchman faces accusations of trafficking, abuse of minors, forgery of official documents and violation of immigration laws. Officers seized several computers and devices in the investigation. Jouke M. was also convicted in the Netherlands in 2005 for committing indecent acts with mentally and physically disabled children. His appeal was denied in 2006, The children that were found in his home were said to be in safe hands, the Dutch police stated. Two victims were being treated in a hospital for injuries suffered from the abuse. Dutch police provide liaison officers to work with investigators based in Southeast Asia in cases where Dutch people are suspected of involvement in criminal activity. "Combating child pornography and child sex tourism is one of the national priorities of the Ministry of Security and Justice, the Public Prosecutor and the Dutch police," the police statement added.