Employees and clients of the provincial government troop to the Provincial Social Welfare Office to look at the teenage girl who was arrested for failing to pay the bills at the resort in Asturias town.
(CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The Cebu Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) made sure that “J”, who is accused of failing to pay her bills in a resort, will be comfortable during her weekend stay in a shelter for children in conflict with the law (CICL).
But no family or friends have come to visit the 16-year-old girl since her arrest on Thursday in Asturias town, midwest Cebu.
Rose Jao, PSWDO assistant officer-in-charge, said her office sent the teenagers a hygiene kit and food packs good until Monday.
“While she has had a brush with the law, she still has the right to live comfortably,” Jao told Cebu Daily News.
The hygiene kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and clean shirts.
Packs of rice and canned corned beef were also sent to the shelter run by a non-government organization, whose location remains undisclosed.
Vague
The province runs a shelter for child offenders called My Home in Consolacion town, but the facility only takes in boys aged 15 and below, said Jao.
The minor showed signs of anxiety last Friday night when she was told she would be taken to a shelter, Jao said.
“She kept on asking where we were taking her. I assured her that she will be safe and comfortable,” she added.
The minor was treated to a fast food meal before they headed to the shelter, escorted by officers of the Asturias police precinct.
On the way there, Jao said she tried to ask the girl about her background but only got vague answers in return.
Discernment
The Cebu provincial government sent two female security guards to watch over the girl until she is turned over tomorrow to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Under the Juvenile Justice Law, minors or youths below 18 years old cannot be imprisoned and have to be turned over to their parents , guardian or authorized government entity.
But two social workers earlier certified that “J”, a resident of Sogod, southern Leyte, acted with “discernment” or was aware of her wrongdoing, which paved the way for the filing of criminal charges of estafa on Friday.
Under the law, cases of minors are to be handled carefully.
Their records “from initial contact until final disposition of the case” shall be considered “privileged and confidential.”
By Monday, Jao said social workers will resume assessing “J’s” case.
The mestiza teenager was accused by a resort in Asturias town, midwest Cebu for failing to pay her P15,000 bill for staying in an airconditioned family room for three days.
The Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC), co-chaired by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, earlier recommended that a complaint cannot be filed against the girl after she was established as a minor.
On several occasions, the girl said she was either 19 or 23 years old.
It was only last Friday after Magpale’s staff got in touch with “J’s” secondary school in Southern Leyte that her real age was confirmed as 16 years old.
“J” had no visitors since she arrived at the shelter.
The vice governor’s office is trying to locate her family in Sogod town. Magpale wrote to Sogod Mayor Imelda Tan asking her to oversee the care of the minor in a suitable “diversion” program for youth offenders as provided in the law in the event that “J” is returned to her hometown.
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