For abuses at operation second chance: Team-building for social workers, jail guards set

With social workers sacked and jail guards reprimanded, the management of Operation Second Chance admits there is still a need to improve the coexistence of social workers and jail guards in the facility.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, member of the Operation Second Chance management board, said their efforts in improving the relationship between social workers and jail guards is a continuing process with a planned more intensive team-building activity in the coming days.

Regional Trial Court Judge Olegario Sarmiento, head of the management board, found social workers Emy Sta. Cruz and Frances Abangan liable for abuse and recommended for their reassignment. He also made the same recommendation for five jail guards.

Jail guards Renante Ramirez, Raglen Cimafranca, Dindo Sienes, Filberto Antiquiña, and Mary Glor Mejorada were reprimanded and warned that a repetition of the incident will be dealt with more severely.

At least five children in the facility complained they were made to kneel, slapped, and physically and mentally abused in the Operation Second Chance Center.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed the dismissal of Sta. Cruz and Abangan two weeks ago. But the jail guards were allowed to continue working after they underwent a comprehensive lecture on the rights of the children and made to promise to protect them.

"No questions, no hearing, nothing," Osmeña said, adding he would not spend time on investigation. "If you get caught, you get caught," he said.

Carillo admitted he is saddened by the dismissal of the two social workers but said, "If they are acting contrary to what they are expected of, then the city can act on it."

In his regular press conference, Osmeña said the city government need not replace the jail guards because "you'll get the same."

He, however, directed Councilor Augustus Pe, member of the city's committee on police, fire, and penology to suspend the allowance of the reprimanded jail guards for six months. - Joeberth M. Ocao