Police ready charges against village exec

CEBU, Philippines - The police are readying charges while the Mandaue City government will look into an incident involving a newly-elected barangay official who is alleged to have abducted five minors, a boy and four girls, and the liability of the motel, city administrator James Abadia said.

Abadia said motels are expected to enforce strict guidelines for admission especially involving minors.

The motel will be accorded due process but if found to have broken the law, its business might be ordered closed.

Barangay Cambaro Councilor Jay-r Yosores has been accused by a 15-year-old high school student of bringing her and her companions to a motel at the Mandaue reclamation area and allegedly forced them to drink alcohol.

Yosores strongly denied the accusation against him saying he was in Cebu City at the time preparing the papers for an event in one of the towns in Southern Cebu.

The police have gathered statements from alleged victims who claim that Yosores invited them to dinner at a mall at the reclamation area as they asked for donations from him last Tuesday to pay for the cost of costumes.

The victims said Yosores and a male companion invited them for a ride and they went to a convenience store where  he (Yosores) bought alcoholic drinks, but to their surprise they were brought to a hotel in Mandaue City.

The minors were rescued by the members of the Mandaue City Police after being informed about the alleged abduction.

But Yosores and his male companion were not around when the police arrived.

As of yesterday afternoon, the police were still preparing charges against Yosores and his other companion.

Yosores promised to give his side to the police regarding the issue but he failed to appear at the Mandaue City Police Office yesterday.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said his office will investigate the issue involving a barangay councilman of Cambaro, Mandaue City and some juveniles if a complaint is filed.

"Kung may reklamo i-imbestigahan natin. Pero kailangan ang tulong ng mga magulang, kailangan silang pumunta sa NBI or PNP para humingi ng tulong at mag- execute ng affidavit," he said.

Based on reports, the minors have alleged they were brought to a motel at the North Reclamation Area by Jay-r Yosores. 

However, Yosores denied the allegation claiming it was "politically motivated."

He said he was in Cebu City on Tuesday night.

Before the incident, the minors allegedly asked Yosores help to finance their dance costumes for their school program.

The police took the minors from a motel.

Apostol said if the allegations of the minors are true, the councilman will be held liable for violation of Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as child abuse. (FREEMAN)