BACOLOD City – The city government, in coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), rescued three street children after they were reportedly seen threatening customers at a fast-food chain in front of the city’s public plaza.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said that on August 13, he referred the matter to the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) and the BCPO after receiving a video showing a group of youths allegedly threatening a student outside a restaurant near the plaza.
On August 14, the BCPO, led by Colonel Joeresty Coronica, acted on the mayor’s request and, together with the DSSD, located and rescued the minors.
According to DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, the boys — aged 13 to 15 — include two residents of Bacolod and one from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental. The agency is now coordinating with the barangays where their parents reside to provide appropriate intervention.
As children-at-risk, the minors are currently under the custody of the DSSD.
“This is a public safety concern,” Gasataya stressed. “We are asking the DSSD to take appropriate measures and coordinate with concerned government agencies to address the situation.”
Coronica said the minors are also known to be “rugby boys” roaming the city and soliciting money from the public. He warned that if such incidents persist due to parental neglect, he will not hesitate to file charges against the parents./PN
