Five minors were taken into custody by city personnel after they allegedly threw rocks and glass bottles at people who refused to give them money near a restaurant along D.M. Cortes Street in Barangay Alang-Alang.
City Mayor’s Office-Safety Maintenance Area Response Team (CMO-SMART) leader Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani said the operation was conducted on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, following complaints about the alleged harassment.
Personnel from the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) and the City Social Welfare Services Office (CSWSO) joined the operation to identify the minors and address the reported incidents.
In an interview on Thursday, Oct. 15, Gobalani said the children had been staying near a fast-food chain and a restaurant along D.M. Cortes Street over the previous few days, where they allegedly solicited money from customers and passersby.
He said the minors allegedly became violent when people refused to give them money, throwing rocks and glass bottles at them.
“Ang ilang buhaton manglimos, then kung di sila mahatagan sa ilang gusto, that’s the time nga mu-violent sila, so manglabay or manghapak,” Gobalani said. (“They solicit alms, and when they do not get what they want, that is when they become violent, throwing things or hitting people.”)
On Tuesday, Oct. 13, a restaurant employee was reportedly struck on the head by a rock allegedly thrown by one of the minors.
“Naigo gyud ang usa sa mga empleyado sulod mismo sa restaurant,” Gobalani said. (“One of the employees inside the restaurant was indeed hit.”)
He added that the injured employee was a person with disability (PWD).
The restaurant management sought assistance from CMO-SMART following the incident, prompting the operation the next evening.
Gobalani said CSWSO personnel joined the operation because the individuals involved were minors. Social workers helped ensure that the children were handled appropriately and that their parents were informed.
He said CMO-SMART also reviewed closed-circuit television footage from the restaurant and Barangay Cambaro to verify the children’s identities.
Personnel then brought the minors to their respective homes and coordinated with their parents and the CSWSO.
Gobalani said the incident was concerning because of the children’s young ages and the alleged violence involved.
“Mahibong ta ba at the same time, magguol sad ta kay makakita ka sa mga edad sa mga bata pwerte pang bataa, dili pa teenager ba, unya naa na silay ingon ana nga tendency, ingon ana sila ka violent, mao na atong gipa-rescue sa atong CSWS,” he said. (“It is surprising, but also worrying, because the children are still very young, not even teenagers, yet they already show this kind of tendency and violence. That is why we asked the CSWS to assist.”)
The minors were estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old and were all residents of Barangay Cambaro, Gobalani said.
As of Thursday, no case had been filed, but the restaurant owner was reportedly willing to pursue legal action because an employee had been injured.
One of the five minors was brought to the Hope of Mandaue Enhanced Home Children’s Center in Barangay Basak, a facility for children in conflict with the law.
Gobalani said the referral followed a recommendation from a social worker because the child had allegedly been involved in similar incidents repeatedly.
“Mao to ang gi-recommend sa atoang social worker… mao man gud ni siya’y frequent nga magbalik-balik na og himo og mga dautan,” he said. (“That was what our social worker recommended because this child has repeatedly been involved in similar misbehavior.”)
The four other minors were turned over to their parents, who were warned and reminded of their responsibility to supervise their children.
Separately, Gobalani said the CSWSO’s Anti-Mendicancy Task Force had received complaints from motorists about children soliciting money along A.C. Cortes Avenue.
The children allegedly hit vehicles when motorists refused to give them money, he added.
Photo courtesy of Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani
Comments