The Operation Second Chance Center in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Five children in conflict with the law (CICL) who were among the 20 who escaped a juvenile facility in Barangay Kalunasan here on Saturday night, April 9, 2022, remain at large.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, chief of operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that they are still looking for the five who escaped Operation Second Chance.
READ: 20 children in conflict with the law escape from juvenile center in Cebu City
Rafter based this information from the latest report from the Guadalupe police station, whose assistance was sought to locate the escaped minors.
“Out of 20 naa nay 15 na-recover, so naa nala’y lima, gamay-gamay nalang. So hopefully with the tracker team as days go on, ma kompleto gyud ni og ka rescue,” Rafter said.
As of Monday, April 11, Rafter said that they haven’t received a directive from the city government to deploy personnel around the facility.
“Kay we will also have to consider na maybe naay mga prohibition, considering na these are minors, we have to go over our memorandums kung what are the prohibition and limitations of the deployment of PNP personnel with regards to CICL facilities,” she added.
Rafter however said that they are ready to deploy personnel at any time needed or when Cebu City Government issues directives with regards to this incident.
“Maybe as days go on, we can come up ana nga mga actions and then deployment of that will depend sa prohibitions and limitations sa atong balaod,” Rafter said.
Last Sunday, April 10, it was reported that at least 20 CICL were able to escape the facility.
Police Major Jonathan Dela Cerna, station chief of the Guadalupe Police Station, said that it was around 9 p.m that night when they were informed about the incident.
Last April 10, at least seven of the 20 CICLs surrendered to authorities.
Initial investigation revealed that these groups of minors might have planned their escape.
“Kay murag, ilang gi-lusob nila diretso ang gate, ni-diretso bitaw, nagdala go mga binugha, unya wala kapugong ang (security) kay siya raman usa kuno, gabantay sa gate, murag giplano gyud daan nga manakas sila,” said Dela Cerna.
Ambrosio Ibones, head of the facility, said this started when one of their CICL was about to be rushed to the hospital after having trouble in breathing.
/bmjo