Three teenagers, aged 13 to 15, were taken into protective custody on Thursday, August 14, following a joint operation by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Anti-Mendicancy Team and Police Station 1.
The action was initiated in response to a widely circulated video that allegedly showed the minors intimidating children at a fast-food restaurant at Gatuslao Street, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director, P/Col. Joeresty Coronica, confirmed the individuals matched those seen in footage showing four solvent-abusing youths allegedly harassing patrons.
A concerned parent posted the video, claiming one minor threatened her daughter’s companion while wielding a scissor-like object.
Gasataya swiftly mobilized authorities after reviewing the footage, labeling the minors as children at risk.
“With the clamor among parents and children, and given the situation, action was necessary,” Gasataya said during a visit to Police Station 1 to assess the youths’ conditions.
The DSSD and BCPO were coordinating to preserve public safety, he said.
DSSD-Bacolod head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said that there could be potential legal repercussions for guardians or parents of such minors.
“In some cases where there is parental negligence, we can take custody while facilitating assistance. But for those who have already been warned, the state can also initiate actions to teach them a lesson”, she said
Background checks showed the 13-year-old had fled his Cadiz City residence, while the two Bacolod natives were identified as street-connected youth.
All three remain under DSSD supervision at the Youth Home pending further interventions, the BCCO reported.*