Cops to guard bridges to keep street kids away

CEBU, Philippines- At least two policemen will be assigned to guard the bridges in barangays Mabolo and Banilad in Cebu City to make sure no more street children will dwell below them.

“Pirminte na na nga naa diha dapita. Og mag-ulan man gani, mag-roving patrol pud para mabantayan gihapon diha,” said Senior Supt. Marciano Batiancela Jr., acting chief of the Cebu City Police Office.

Last Friday, city government personnel rescued at least 43 street children from under the two bridges.

Batiancela said most of the children rescued do not come from Cebu City and might have been involved in robbery, considering the wallets, ATM cards and weapons recovered from them during the operation.

Some of the children rescued from the bridge in Mabolo at the Mahiga Creek were also allegedly caught sniffing rugby.

Senior Inspector Arieza Otida, chief of the Women’s and Children’s Protection desk in CCPO, said they received information that these children have started sniffing “volatile substances.”

She said they will check records of the different police stations to determine if any of the children have committed other crimes.

Otida said WCPD will continue its information drive in schools and barangays, which will include proper child rearing.

“And might as well include their liabilities pursuant to the provision of Republic Act 7610,” she said.

R.A. 7610 is “An Act Providing For Stronger Deterrence And Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation And Discrimination, And For Other Purposes”.

Superintendent Enrique Belciña, chief of the Police Community Relations in the CCPO, said the office is also eyeing at expanding its Foster Parents Program in which cops will help street children go to school and train them in different sports.

The program, which started in Barangay Mambaling, is benefitting at least 35 street children. Belciña said they plan to implement the program in Mabolo and Banilad after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Cebu.

“This is a long-term approach. Kung pasagdaan ra pud nato ni sila (street children), mahasol ra gihapon ni sila puhon labi na ma-involved sila sa mga crimes,” Belciña said.  (FREEMAN)