An official from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has revealed that Freddie Aguilar’s 16-year-old girlfriend was not allowed by the agency to travel with the singer in Malaysia.

DSWD Protective Services Bureau director Dulfie Shalim told the Philippine Star that Freddie’s girlfriend, whom he calls “Babe,” wanted to watch his Kuala Lumpur concert unaccompanied by her parents. However, DSWD Region 4-B director Wilma Naviamos rejected the girl’s application on September 5.

The report adds that Babe’s mother tried to make an appeal to the regional director’s decision, but social workers from the department, in turn, counseled her on the possible effects of allowing her daughter to travel with the 60-year-old Freddie.

“The DSWD region office there took the initiative to give counseling to the girl’s mother about allowing her child to travel out of the country without a parent and with a man,” Shalim said.

While Freddie could be held liable for having a relationship with a minor, Shalim said that the girl’s parents could also be charged with neglect or child exploitation if found guilty of forcing their daughter into having a relationship with the singer.

(Screencap via YouTube)