Young offenders need more shelters – Police

CEBU, Philippines - In order to provide enough security for children in conflict with the law, the police are asking the provincial government to open a facility where these children can stay while they are placed under diversion programs. 

Not all police stations in the province have a special area for minors

“We are requesting the local government or of the Cebu province to have a facility for minor detainees,” said Chief Inspector Fructuoso Lim, chief of the Medellin Police.

Inspector Margeniette Yosores, chief of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said most of the children involved in crimes are placed under  diversion programs if the penalty for the crime they have committed is imprisonment for six years and below. Those involved in heinous crimes are referred to a rehabilitation center for children.

She said there are only two rehabilitation centers in the province – “My Home” in Tayud, Consolacion and “Youth Home” in Talisay City – and both centers can only accommodate a certain number of children. Those that cannot be accommodated are referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which will turn the children over to their parents or guardian. 

“Mao nang ini’g gawas nila mohimo lang gihapon og krimen unya madakpan na pud mao nang magbalik-balik…mas maayo man unta to kung naay center kay maatiman gyud sila kay duna may mga program,” Yosores told The FREEMAN.

Last April, Jessie Allamado Jr., escaped from the Medellin Police Station after he was reportedly asked by the police to do an errand. Police were said to be preparing the necessary documents for Allamado’s release when he escaped.

He was arrested for robbery last year.

Allamado, however, surrendered to the Bacolod City police last week when he ran out of money to support himself. He was brought by the Medellin police back to Cebu Thursday evening.

“CICL na ni siya 13 pa lang ang edad unya hangtud ron bag-o lang siya nag 18 adtong lang May 19,” Lim said, adding that they turned over Allamado to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Medellin.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the province is eyeing at building another center in the southern Cebu. She, however, made it clear that the existing facility is not overcrowded and is secured.

“Nagpatabang pud mi sa barangay officials sa Tayud unya ingon sila nga naay barangay tanod nagbantay sa area,” she said in a phone interview.

Psychologists are also detailed in the center, she added.  (FREEMAN)