Rugby kids seen as threat to safety of commuters

The ever-growing number of street children roaming the city's streets has now become a severe problem especially when these kids are hooked on solvent.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on good government and public accountability, expressed this over his concern on reports that seven minors, both boys and girls, were sniffing industrial glue in plastic bags while they were onboard a Colon-bound 13C jeepney.

The alleged rugby session inside a moving vehicle took a terrifying turn when these minors turned violent and started harassing passengers by slapping, pinching, kicking and even yanking the hair of some of the horrified teenage girl passengers inside the jeepney.

The harassment allegedly stopped when the solvent-intoxicated minors hurriedly disembarked as soon as the jeepney stopped at the intersection of Archbishop Reyes and Gorordo avenues.

The street children usually pour the chemical on a piece of cloth or foam, which they then sniff. Others pour the chemical into small plastic bags from where they breathe in the solvent's fumes. Toluene or solvent, which has an effect similar to shabu, is sold mostly to street children who use the substance reportedly to stave off hunger.

"In-front-of-your-face rugby session indeed appears to be a serious peace and order matter not to crow about considering that, among others, the safety and convenience of the riding public seems to be precariously put on the line," Labella said in his proposed resolution.

Labella also asked, through the resolution, the police authorities to intensify their drive against crimes involving "rugby kids". - Garry B. Lao