Extradition of former US diplomat accused of child sex abuse possible —Guevarra

A former American diplomat who was previously assigned in Manila could be extradited to the Philippines once he is charged for various criminal offenses involving child sex abuse, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday.

Dean Cheves, who worked at the US Embassy from September 2020 to February 2021, was recently indicted in the US for illicit sexual conduct with a 16-year old Filipina.

In a message to reporters, Guevarra said the Department of Justice was coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs on relevant legal issues such as diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention and territorial jurisdiction.

“Assuming that these issues have been clarified, we shall proceed to coordinate with the US Department of Justice under the umbrella of the Philippines-US Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT),” he said.

“Depending on the evidence made available, the subject US personnel may be held criminally and civilly liable under our Anti-Child Abuse Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, anti-human trafficking law, and the Revised Penal Code. Mr. Cheves may be extradited to the Philippines once he is charged under any or all of the aforementioned laws, subject to the provisions of our extradition treaty with the US,” Guevarra added.

Citing indictment and court documents, the US DOJ said on August 3 that Cheves, while in the Philippines, allegedly met a 16-year-old online and allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the minor on two occasions.

Cheves, the US DOJ statement said, produced cellphone videos of himself engaging in the sex acts each time.—AOL, GMA News