53 minors rescued from streets, cafes

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has rescued 53 minors following a two-day intensified campaign to clear the streets of children that may be put at risk against the law.

Senior Inspector Sheila Gurtiza, who heads the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD), said that as per the directives of CCPO Director Royina Garma, their unit, including other units such as the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB), were tasked to rescue kids.

This time, the rescue operations were not done at night, but on broad daylight which started on Wednesday until yesterday.

The minors were mostly coming from Barangays Pari-an, Kalubihan, Mabolo, San Roque and at the Carbon market.

“This time, we are not only doing it after curfew hours but also during the day, just to make sure that lesser children are seen in the streets. Also, dili lang ni effort sa WCPC but also sa tanang units nga naa’y bakante,” she said.

Gurtiza said that children are at risk of being recruited to commit organized crimes or taken advantage by drug peddlers.

“Children in streets are at risk because they are vulnerable to harm, magamit sila sa mga dautan, and at risk pud sila for becoming part of Children in Conflict with the Law (CILC),” she said.

Based on their records from January to June 2018, 112 children are in conflict with law where children are involved in petty crimes such as robbery, theft and physical injuries.

The children’s names were recorded in their respective barangays.

She said that most of the children were already brought back by their parents and guardians after they were notified by barangay officials that their children have been in police custody.

These parents were also reminded that those whose children have been rescued four times will be held liable for negligence.

Moreover, Gurtiza said that 18 of the children were caught inside internet cafes while still wearing their uniforms. The children are in first year of high school.

She warned owners of internet cafes that they will face necessary penalties if found allowing children to play even during school hours. —

Mae Clydyl L. Avila/GAN