• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Three of four minors, classified as children at risk, are now in the custody of Police Station 1 after being identified in a viral video where they were threatening students at a fast-food establishment near the Bacolod Plaza.
According to Bacolod City Police Director PCol. Joeresty Coronica, they are still searching for the fourth minor, a 9-year-old boy, who was allegedly the one wielding scissors during the incident.
“We will call their parents or guardians and call their attention. It shows that they are neglected and abandoned children,” Coronica said.
Two of the confined minors are residents of Bacolod while the other one is a 13-year-old who fled from his Cadiz City residence.
The minors ages 13 to 15, admitted to sniffing solvent.
Department of Social Service and Development (DSSD) head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said they are currently searching for the parents of the minors involved, to notify them of the situation and an intervention will occur.
Verdeprado-Mangga explained that in some cases, if they find neglect on the parents’ side, they can take the children into custody while also facilitating how to help them.
In the initial data gathering of the DSSD, it reveals that the children undergo difficult situations leading to their dysfunctional families.
“Our Social Workers stepped in, in partnership with our WCPD, to ensure that the handling of their case is child-friendly,” Verdeprado-Mangga said.
Meanwhile, Coronica added that if things like this continue, they will file a case against the parents.
Mayor Greg Gasataya also visited the minors on Thursday at the Police Station 1 and talked with Coronica and Verdeprado-Mangga regarding the appropriate measures.
“On our part, we will give the necessary support and it is also a wakeup call. They are children at risk in the other situation, people are also at risk with their actions,” Gasataya said.
All three will be under the supervision of the DSSD for further intervention.
“We are to help you,” Gasataya added.
The DSSD Anti-medicancy team has been conducting unscheduled patrols around the city to rescue the children with the same case.*
