OSC staff summoned to shed light on ‘jailbreak’

CEBU, Philippines — Personnel of the Operation Second Chance (OSC), a facility dedicated for children in conflict with the law (CICL), were summoned today to a clarificatory conference.

The Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) called for a conference to shed light on the escape of a minor from the city-run facility in Barangay Kalunasan.

Bill Lucero, OSC administrative assistant; Dave Rodrigo, driver; and Corsine Abarquez, watchman, were invited to appear before the legal office.

“This (clarificatory conference) is pursuant to the order of Judge Ester Veloso of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 6, who referred the matter for possible administrative or criminal sanctions,” said lawyer Rey Gealon, CLO chief.

The RTC order was sent to CLO on December 12, 2019.

The minor was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center after feeling ill, said OSC director Ambrosio Ibones.

But while in the hospital, the minor reportedly managed to flee.

The minor was later rescued in Barangay Mabolo and was brought back to the facility.

This was the third time over the past three months an alleged jail break was reported at the facility, which houses over 80 minors facing legal violations.

It can be recalled that six CICL bolted from the facility after a riot on December 22 last year.

Last October 4, 11 minors were also reported to have escaped from the facility.

OSC personnel denied negligence on their part and blamed the incidents on the lack of personnel. (FREEMAN)