‘Be vigilant, keep an eye on your children’

The Makati City government called on parents to be vigilant and closely monitor the activities of their children following the arrest of a 70-year-old suspected pedophile in the city recently.

“We can never be too careful these days. Young children tend to be gullible and easily influenced by peers, so they need constant guidance from us parents,” said Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay.

Binay was referring to the arrest of suspect Elias Cosme, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, who was charged with violation of R.A. 8353 (Anti-Rape Law) in relation to R.A. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

The suspected pedophile was reportedly preying on young high school students in the city, using their own schoolmates to lure them to his condominium unit where he would take nude photos of them and even sexually molest them.

Binay said the incident should serve as a reminder to parents to “never let your guard down.”

“We must also teach our children to recognize potential threats so that they could avoid being victimized,” she added.

The septuagenarian was arrested last October 11 during an entrapment and rescue operation conducted by local police operatives led by Chief Inspector Roman Salazar, Jr., together with a licensed social worker and another employee of the Makati Social Welfare Department

Meanwhile, Binay ordered the filing of charges of obstruction of justice against the manager and security guards of the condominium building who barred the composite team from pursuing the suspect.

“Their interference in a legitimate police operation had seriously compromised the safety of a minor. They must be held liable for ignoring the urgency of the situation, preventing the authorities from rescuing the victim before the suspect could do her harm,” Binay said.