CEBU, Philippines- Cebu City police authorities are alarmed by reports about minors being involved in illegal drug activities.
Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), expressed outrage over five minors aged 11 to 14 who were caught sniffing shabu inside a drug den during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City Friday evening.
“Makaalarma gyud kay mga bata na man gud. Sa pagserbisyo namo diri, pila ka years, that was the first time namo nakita nga mga bata, ing-ato kagamya,” said Santander.
“Nakakita na man mi anang mga 16 edad or 15 pero wa gyud mi nag-expect nga ingon ato ka mga gagmay nga mga bataa,” he added.
Santander said they are still monitoring some barangays that reportedly have drug dens and are not discounting the possibility that minors are involved.
“Hopefully wala unta kay dili lalim nga makakita ka didto sa drug den nga naa’y mga bata, nagtangag pa ang mga tooter nila, unya hanas na kaayo maghimo og pot session,” said Santander.
Santander said the minors admitted using shabu to keep them awake while they sell newspaper along the streets starting from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m.
Santander has called the attention of the barangay officials of Duljo-Fatima for them to discuss the concern.
“Naa lang unta’y mo-stand maskin usa ka miyembro sa barangay council aron matabian ni namo. This is a challenge to all of them,” he said.
On the other hand, Senior Inspector Arieza Otida, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the CCPO, was emotional about the minors’ involvement.
“Nakahilak gyud ko pagkakita nako. Very frustrating gyud kaayo,” she said.
Otida said they already turned over the five minors to the Department of Social and Welfare Services of the Cebu City government for intervention.
“Naa gyud nay tendency nga mobalik na sila ana nga buhat if ang parents mismo walay buhaton,” said Otida.
“So this is a consolidated effort not just sa government, not just sa barangay, but with the parents mismo,” she added.
Otida said the parents of minors should be held responsible but she is also looking at other factors.
“I’m looking man pud sa greater damage kay naa pud baya ni sila igsuon nga daghan so if mapriso ni sila, problema na pud,” said Otida.
She added they will coordinate with the DSWS workers to give sessions to the parents and monitor them from time to time. (FREEMAN)