Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos, the priest accused of “booking” a 13-year-old girl for sexual service, failed to appear on Monday during preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice.

Instead, he just sent his lawyer to represent him during the scheduled hearing.

He was charged with violation of Section 6 for qualified trafficking under Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, which is a non-bailable offense.

During the closed-door hearing, the 13-year-old victim together with her mother subscribed their complaint in front of Assistant State Prosecutor Karla Cabel.

Cabel told Lagarejos lawyer and four other respondents to submit their counter-affidavit after five days and set the next preliminary investigation of the case on Sept. 22 at 3 p.m.

Also named respondents in the charge sheet were Shaira Pedragoza, Ace Lasaca, Luisa David, a minor and several John Does.

PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said the filing of the charges was based on the month-long investigation conducted by PAO Marikina and on testimonies provided by the victim.

“It was established that there are two other incidents involving said priest. So applying Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, the incident falls under qualified human trafficking because there was a procurement of the child and also considering the age of the victim which is 13 years old, a minor,” Acosta said.

“So on the basis of those incidents and revelations of the child through the care of Marikina Social Welfare Office, it was established that this special law on trafficking of children was violated,” she added.

Last July, Lagarejos was arrested by the Marikina police in an entrapment operation as he was allegedly taking the girl to a motel.