Gang recruitment probed

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Police are looking into reports of a gang recruiting minors.

This, after parents of some minors in barangay Poblacion Talisay City expressed worry because their kids were reportedly recruited by two other minors to join their gang.

An aunt (name withheld) of the 10-year old boy, told Banat News (sister publication of The Freeman) yesterday that they recently learned that her nephew was recruited by the “Bad Boys and Bad Girls” gang.

She said that their two neighbors, 14 and 16, both boys, are allegedly leaders of the said gang recruiting other minors to join them.  There are 20 boys and girls with ages ranging from 7 to 13, who allegedly became members of the gang.

According to the aunt, her nephew told her that they usually conduct their hazing rites at a secluded place near the beach of Poblacion.

New recruits reportedly get slapped on the face and kicks from the leader of the gang as part of their ritual.

Aside from that, the new recruit will undergo a karate sparring with the other members of the gang.

After the sparring, the new recruits have to run while gang members chase him. If they catch him, the new recruit gets a beating.

According to the aunt, members of the gang were also forced to smoke.

She said most of the gang members did not attend classes regularly and became disrespectful to their parents and elders.

Some of the parents of the gang members have no knowledge yet that their children have already been recruited.

She added that most of the gang members are afraid to tell to their parents because they are threatened by their leader not to tell to anybody about their group.

Inspector Hugo Rio Ipong of Talisay City Police Station told Banat News yesterday that they investigate the said report.

He said that the minors should be saved to prevent them from doing crimes. —/MIT (FREEMAN)