20 escape city’s rehab facility

CEBU, Philippines —  Operation is ongoing to rescue 11 children in conflict with the law (CICL) who escaped from the Operation Second Chance in Barangay Kalunasan in Cebu City Friday night.

Initially, 20 managed to escape from the facility but house parents and social workers caught up with nine of them.

Dave Tumulak, chairman of Cebu City’s Peace and Order Council, said the house parents were about to serve dinner at past 6 p.m. Friday when about 30 residents allegedly charged at them.

Other house parents who saw the commotion reportedly tried to close the second door of the dormitory but the children were still able to open it still as they rushed out of the facility.

Tumulak said the 11 missing are aged 15 years old to 17 years old and are facing charges for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Policemen and social workers are coordinating with the families of the 11 residents to trace their possible whereabouts.

Tumulak urged the parents of the 11 to help bring them back to the facility. He said the 11 may face additional cases if they will not go back.

Archbishop Jose Palma echoed Tumulak’s call. He also asked the city to ensure that the children are brought back to the facility safely.

The Operation Second Chance has 79 residents who are under the supervision of nine house parents. It was built to separate minor offenders from adult criminals. It became operational in 2002.

Probe

Investigation is ongoing to determine what happened exactly but Tumulak said the escape appeared coordinated and the lack of security personnel may have contributed.

He said he actually asked for 10 more security personnel for Operation Second Chance, which Mayor Edgardo Labella approved only last Friday afternoon.

The 10 guards are scheduled to go on duty starting today.

“Mo-duty na unta tong mga bag-ong guards inig Monday. Wa gyud kaabot (The guards are scheduled to go on duty on Monday. They just missed the incident),” Tumulak said yesterday.

He said the investigation will determine how the children escaped exactly and if the facility management can be held to account.

Labella instructed, however, that the top priority is to find the children and bring them back safely to Operation Second Chance. —  JMO (FREEMAN)