By Jose Cielito Reganit and Connie Calipay
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is taking legal and protective actions against a local official in Barangay Caloco, Tinambac, Camarines Sur following allegations of harassment and abuses committed by his two sons against several children.
Following the receipt of the letter from the 11-year-old whistleblower against the cases of child abuse, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. immediately instructed DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to take appropriate actions which he did by meeting the 11-year-old child on Tuesday at the DSWD Central Office.
“As we speak right now, more than helping the shelter, meron din kaming mga (we also have) social workers doing the necessary psychosocial, emotional intervention. So, we’re now helping them, helping the shelter, but also helping the individual children, nandun na yung mga social workers namin (our social workers are already there),” Gatchalian said during a media interview on Wednesday.
The DSWD’s intervention stemmed from a letter written by an 11-year-old student to President Marcos pleading for help regarding alleged incidents of harassment perpetrated by a barangay official and the sexual abuses committed by his two sons.
Both perpetrators identified in the sexual assault cases are the sons of the respondent Barangay Kagawad in Caloco in Tinambac town, Camarines Sur.
One of the suspects was jailed five years ago and is currently detained at the Tinangis Penal Farm in Camarines Sur. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings for the second suspect are still in progress as the individual remains at large.
Gatchalian assured the public that immediate psychosocial and legal assistance is being provided to the affected minors.
Aside from helping the abused victims, the DSWD is also extending financial aid to families seeking refuge inside the Redeemer Homeless Mission due to poverty and natural calamities.
Social workers are also providing technical assistance to the NGO-owned shelter to help secure the necessary Certificate of Registration and License to Operate (CRLTO).
DSWD officials and social workers visited the facility last week following a report made by the said barangay official requesting the closure of the shelter for lacking proper documents.
Instead of closing the center, the DSWD’s assessment team opted to guide the management in fixing the paperwork, recognizing the facility as a vital safe space for the community.
“Kasi ang narration sa akin kahapon nung mga bata at ng kanilang mga magulang at shelter head, ay nahaharass sila, pinuputulan ng kuryente, tinatanggalan ng tubig – umabot nga sa point na kaya sila na-detect ng DSWD, yung mga supposed, yung mga same barangay official na yon, sila rin ang nag report sa amin na wala raw papeles na tama tong shelter na to (The children, their parents and the shelter head told me that they are being harassed. Their electricity and water supply were cut – it reached the point that they were detected by the DSWD because the same barangay official reported to us that the shelter has no papers). They wanted the shelter closed,” Gatchalian said.
To ensure full accountability, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now investigating the said local official and others who may be involved in the incidents made against the shelter.
Thorough probe
The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the alleged abuse of minors.
In a statement, PRO-5 chief Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda said personnel from the Tinambac Municipal Police Station have implemented measures to safeguard the minor, preserve evidence and prevent any potential tampering that could compromise the case.
He added that standard operating procedures were strictly followed, including the careful and lawful documentation of the incident and the sensitive taking of the victim’s statement.
Police also conducted interviews with various individuals who may help gather additional evidence, as investigators are exploring the possibility that other minors may have also been victimized by the suspects.
Miranda assured the public that efforts will continue to hold all responsible parties accountable while upholding the rights and welfare of the victims.
Meanwhile, Tinambac Mayor Edward Albert Prades thanked President Marcos for the prompt response and assurance of protection and support for the children and families of the town.
“We acknowledge this with full cooperation and a shared commitment to safeguard our constituents. The welfare of the children, women, and the people of Tinambac remains the utmost priority of this administration. In light of recent reports involving an alleged rape incident and the disruption of access to basic services, this Office takes these matters with the highest degree of seriousness and concern,” Prades said in a statement.
The mayor also assured the Office of the President and the public that the matters have been acted upon and are currently under proper legal and administrative processes.
“The incidents and allegations have already been brought before the appropriate authorities and are now being addressed in the courts and relevant agencies. Due process is underway, where facts may be established and accountability determined in accordance with the law,” he said. (PNA)
