61-year-old Australian arrested on Cebu for human trafficking

[webfact]

61-year-old Australian arrested for human trafficking says sex claims are a set-up
Lindsay Murdoch

Bangkok: -- An Australian accused of providing money, mobile telephones and free education to Filipino teenagers in exchange for sex, claims he has been set-up by a former girlfriend.

"I did not do nothing," 61-year-old Michael Refalo, a former construction worker, told journalists as he was escorted out of a press conference on the island of Cebu, in the Philippines, on Thursday.

"The allegations were spread by my ex-girlfriend," he said.

Police have charged Refalo with two charges of human trafficking in relation to allegations that he exploited 14 Filipino girls aged 14 to 18.

Refalo, who has lived in the Philippines for six years, said his former girlfriend was living with another man at the time of the alleged offences, adding "she has an agenda".

Full story: http://www.theage.com.au/world/61yearold-australian-arrested-for-human-trafficking-says-sex-claims-are-a-setup-20150515-gh27v7.html


-- The Age 2015-05-15

[retell]

I did not do nothing means I did do something

[Just1Voice]

I don't know if he did anything or not, but what I do know is that a lot Filipino women can be one very mean, spiteful, hateful, devious bitch if you cross her. Yeah, every country has them, but the Philippines seem to have a special niche for those kind of women.

[ExPratt]

I aint done Nufink

[nev]

Human trafficking is just as bad as drug trafficking and if found guilty should be deLt with accordingly.

[dopenhagen]

providing gifts in exchange for sex ? human trafficking ?

then, a quick survey would indicate that most people on TV and in deed most men in Thailand (and perhaps the world) are guilty of human trafficking !

Now, having lived a year in Philippines, I know how unscrupulous those people can be, I'm not defending anyone who has sex with minors, but the argument is a different one here...

Taking a liking to young women, guilty as charged, and so is most men that I'm familiar with... "Old cow likes to eat young grass" (Thai Proverb) !

This could have happened to me if I had stayed, I have tried a whole variety of blackmails, including raping our maid (which I disputed and the case was quickly forgotten), but other blackmail schemes soon found their way to my path and I decided it was time to leave...

Now, I'm in a lovely relationship with a woman I have known for many years and who is closer to my own age than the girls this poor sod obviously was attracted to, the sympathy I can produce for child sex offenders is very very little, and knowing a lot of these old timers, I find it very plausible that he is guilty of procuring minors for sex, and I know 100's of more like him and have none to very little sympathy for them should their arrangements get messy and they will be blackmailed to the point where they can't afford it... all I can say is that he should have seen it coming !

Philippines is much worse than Thailand... so I'm happy to be back in Thailand !

[SOTIRIOS]

...that is where 'good intentions' could get you....

[bheard]

I did not do nothing means I did do something

Correct.

The guy is a . . . buffalo.

[stopthegreed]

I don't know if he did anything or not, but what I do know is that a lot Filipino women can be one very mean, spiteful, hateful, devious bitch if you cross her. Yeah, every country has them, but the Philippines seem to have a special niche for those kind of women.

Hahaha, You havn't had much experience with Thai women eh ? They have to be the worlds worst...

This guy may well be completely innocent. The side walks are full of guilty people and the prisons full of innocent people.

[The Deerhunter]

I don't know where the "trafficking" comes in. It has to be one of the buzz words for this year, I guess. Sounds just like grooming young girls for underage sex to me. I guess old men trying to boink young girls sounds same-as same-as, but calling it human trafficking gets better headlines. Is it possible that the police have charged him with the wrong offence deliberately so he can successfully plead not guilty?

[ironbark]

" Providing sex in exchange for gifts" .

Sounds like marriage.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

I am not sure if this guy is guilty or not, but I have seen many people set up here in Thailand by people who are looking for a big pay day. Happens in the West too but not on the same scale as here.

Someone needs only to point a finger at you and your life will never be the same no matter how it turns out. The cops are happy to bend the evidence against you as it mean a bigger payday for them.

It's one of my biggest fears here because it can happen to anyone, and there is nothing you can do to control it.

Anyone that is guilty of this type of thing should be dealt with to the full extent of the law though

[steven100]

" Providing sex in exchange for gifts" .

Sounds like marriage.

aren't there thousands of farangs in this situation in Thailand ? house ... car .... money .... booze ..... mama ..... papa ....... food ..... rice ........

[ezzra]

...that is where 'good intentions' could get you....

Indeed, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and from experience, those pinays can be

lovely and tender one day and treacherous as a rough seas the next....

[gandalf12]

I don't know if he did anything or not, but what I do know is that a lot Filipino women can be one very mean, spiteful, hateful, devious bitch if you cross her. Yeah, every country has them, but the Philippines seem to have a special niche for those kind of women.

Being Americanised doesnt help

[ggt]

One may accuse another of most anything in the world of public opinion...it is human nature to believe the worst about another person...

I hope for his sake he is innocent...that the girls will be forthcoming with the truth...

Many reputations are irreparably damaged by scorned females...

[Happy Grumpy]

I aint done Nufink

On-est Guv.

[Happy Grumpy]

Let's not forget the 94 yr old in Chiang Mai that was set up as a paedo, and also the Aussie int. school teacher arrested in Ohuket, extorted for everything in jail, name and photo and alleged crime all over the media, including in Aussie, first time in court after 2 weeks it was thrown out as there was no evidence and the claims made were impossible.

Life ruined.

Because of a spiteful Thai mother at the school.

[easton]

Anything the IJM claims must be questioned. There real goal is to make money. Unfortunately this is the case with too many NGO's. Hopefully this guy does not get tarred and feathered before his day in court.

[bridge2bridge]

I don't know if he did anything or not, but what I do know is that a lot Filipino women can be one very mean, spiteful, hateful, devious bitch if you cross her. Yeah, every country has them, but the Philippines seem to have a special niche for those kind of women.

You are so right my friend.

I was married to one for 23 years.

Would not trust them as far as i could throw them.

And Thai's are not far behind.

I M H O.

[biggles45]

The definition of human trafficking in the RP is so broad that just about any paid sexual activity with a woman of legal age could be defined as HT. This is especially so in the case of girls working in bars. I was recently reported that Under RP law it is also illegal to be alone with a girl more than ten years younger than you, who is not related.......feeling a little insecure now guys?

[hagler]

The definition of human trafficking in the RP is so broad that just about any paid sexual activity with a woman of legal age could be defined as HT. This is especially so in the case of girls working in bars. I was recently reported that Under RP law it is also illegal to be alone with a girl more than ten years younger than you, who is not related.......feeling a little insecure now guys?

The law actually states that it is 10 years younger if the person is a minor (ie under 18) .

good thing too.

[sir charles IV]

Being set up does not mean he didn't do it. It means he got caught doing it. Any old fart grooms kids for sex is the lowest form of human being. Inmates have a thing for child molesters. Hope he gets it.

[northernphil]

I aint done Nufink

I ain't not done nuffink neiver. And if I had it was'nt me cos I weren't there as it 'appens.

[Aussieroaming]

It seems like a lot of girls .... Too many for this not to have some credence. Scum if he did groom them.