15 CICLs break out

CEBU, Philippines — Fifteen children in conflict with the law (CICL) escaped from the Operation Second Chance rehabilitation facility late Saturday night, April 11, 2026, marking yet another security breach at the city-run center. All 15 have since been recovered as of last night.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, who has been monitoring the situation, recounted how the escape unfolded.

“Human sa ila dinner gabii, nag greyhound operation mga social workers sa ilang mga rooms, naka recover ug tulo ka cellphones, nag-noise barrage sila,” he said.

The confiscation of contraband reportedly triggered unrest among the minors.

“Ang 15 ka CICL nagsige guba sa window grills sa likod, mga resedente misumbong sa mga social workers,” he added.

Police, led by Col. George Ylanan, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), immediately launched a hot pursuit operation.

Ylanan, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, told The FREEMAN that authorities were only informed of the incident at around 9:30 p.m., prompting operatives from Guadalupe Police Station 9, the Mobile Patrol Unit, and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to conduct response, search, and recovery operations.

He said the swift police action led to the immediate recovery of at least eight CICLs within the vicinity of the facility. Six others were later located in separate areas outside the center and were safely returned.

Two minors were first spotted at around 12:10 a.m. on April 12, followed by two more recovered at 2:10 a.m.

By 10 a.m., one CICL was found in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, while another was rescued at around 1 p.m. in Naga City, more than 20 kilometers away. The last escapee was recovered at 6:10 last night in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City.

Tumulak said an investigation is underway to determine how the minors managed to escape.

“Under investigation pa nganu nakalosot,” he said, acknowledging that this was not the first such incident.

“Last year time ni (mayor Raymond) Garcia naa pod 11 pero na recover rapod,” he recalled.

Operation Second Chance, located in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, is a government-run rehabilitation facility for CICLs. It was established to provide education, counseling, and reintegration programs aimed at reform rather than punishment.

However, the center has a history of similar incidents.

In October 2019, 11 minors escaped, with only three immediately returned by their parents, while the rest remained at large for days. In December of the same year, six more fled just before Christmas; three were surrendered by their parents, while the others were later found at home.

In May 2023, 30 minors staged a mass breakout, prompting then mayor Michael Rama to order the relief of all personnel assigned to the facility.

Another escape occurred in December 2023, when 12 minors fled on Christmas Eve. Police searched for eight who did not immediately return, although it remains unclear if all were eventually recovered.

In September 2025, 13 minors reportedly escaped by jumping over a fence when a gate was opened during garbage disposal. Twelve were quickly recaptured, while one remained missing for several days before being found.

These recurring breaches have unsettled nearby communities and raised concerns about the facility’s ability to balance rehabilitation with public safety.

While most escapees are eventually recovered, the repeated incidents have exposed weaknesses in monitoring and infrastructure.

The latest breakout underscores the long-standing challenge confronting Operation Second Chance—a facility tasked with rehabilitating troubled youth, yet repeatedly tested by security lapses that demand accountability. (CEBU NEWS)