CEBU, Philippines - With the resurgence of carolers in the streets of Cebu, police will start rounding them up again –particularly the minors.
Supt. Arnel Banzon, deputy director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office, said they have been doing this yearly. However, the carolers are eventually let go because they are minors.
"Nahimo na ning cycle na i-round up nato sila, then i-turn over sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) or sa barangay, then ibalik sa ilang parents. Nagsalig sila bitaw," said Banzon.
Banzon said that nevertheless, CCPO will go round up the carolers again, particularly along Osmeña Boulevard, even though they have not yet received any complaints regarding the matter.
"We have already anticipated that managhan na pud ang mga bata na manaygon as early as October. What we can only do is to 'rescue' them, round them up and iadto sa DSWD," he said.
The CCPO official said the lower units have been directed to conduct roundups in their respective areas.
Banzon said the children's parents can actually be held liable for letting the kids go out in the street to either beg from people or go caroling.
However, due to humanitarian reasons, police opt not to arrest or file a case against the parents, added Banzon.
"Bisan pa man og nahimo na 'ning cycle, this has always been a problem that needs to be addressed," the police official said.
Children as young as three years old and even young adults get on passenger jeepneys plying the highways and sings carols using improvised musical instruments or just clapping with their hands.
While they deny that they are robbers, passengers still give money out of fear, intimidation or a misplaced sense of charity. (FREEMAN)