BY SHAY CULLEN
AS MANY as 122 children and teenagers have been shot dead by police in the war-on-drugs where the police enjoy shoot-to-kill impunity.
According to a report by the World Organization Against Torture, the police admit to killing as many as 7,000 suspects more or less, saying the suspects “fought back” and “resisted.”
But the children were targets also, some executed, some caught in the cross-fire, the police said.
On July 27, 2020 the prosecutor dismissed the case against Jun and ordered his release. He had no family to take him and the detention jail authorities would not release him. It was unlawful detention.
Preda social workers heard about Jun in the prison cell – hungry, malnourished, bruised and beaten. He dared tell no one. They completed the legal documentation for his transfer to Preda Home for Boys. The Preda New Dawn Home is a government-accredited care home for youth like Jun.
He was then transferred to Preda. He ate lots of good food, played basketball, found friends and has now started his studies, learning to read and write. He found freedom, acceptance, affirmation and respect.
Jun is undertaking vocational training, learning welding and electrical appliance repair and he loves to help on the farm. He has therapy and counseling to help deal with his inner traumatic emotional hurt and pain.
The Preda social worker was able to locate his biological father in Manila and his mother in Negros Occidental. It is a dream come true for Jun. He can talk to them by phone. Soon, he will be reintegrated to his biological father and so he will have a happier life.
Not all such cases turn out for the best. Small kids as young as 10 and 12 have been jailed in youth jails also and they too have been sexually abused and tortured. Preda called in the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the abuse suffered by the children rescued by Preda social workers.
They interviewed the children and confirmed the torture and abuse. The children described what they suffered by drawings.
We need government officials everywhere to grow a conscience and do their duty to protect children in homes, not in jails, and never allow torture and sexual abuse. What greater supporters do the children have than Jesus of Nazareth who said children are the most important in the world (Matt.18:1-7) and their abusers and enablers must be brought to justice. That is everyone’s duty and responsibility./PN
