‘J’ laments exposure, wants to go home
Lost, scared and longing to go home.
This was how Rose Jao, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) assistant officer-in-charge, described “J”, the 16-year-old accused of trying to dupe a resort in Asturias town, who is now under their custody.
“She is apprehensive of what will happen to her or what people will think of her when all of this is over,” Jao told reporters yesterday.
She said “J” is deeply affected by her exposure in media, particularly social media, in the last few days.
The officer said “J” had been crying during their conversation on the phone the other night. “I told her to pray and reflect on what she has done,” Jao said.
NO VISITORS
Jao said the girl wanted to go back to her hometown in Sogod, Southern Leyte, but the social workers won’t allow her.
“We can’t let her go that easily. There has to be an adult guardian to come and fetch her,” she said.
Jao said “J” has not received any visitors in the last four days she has been staying in a private-run shelter.
Last Monday Cristina Recto, Sogod municipal social welfare officer, recommended that “J” stays in Cebu in order to undergo reformation in an institution for children in conflict with the law.
Recto said the town does not have ¨reformation¨ facilities for minors.
PRIVACY
Jao said Cebu province has one such institution but it only caters to male child offenders 15 years old and below. She recommended that the girl stay with her family in Sogod instead.
“It is better if she is with her family. She needs all the support and guidance from them. The girl is lost,” Jao said.
“The girl can cope. She seems to just be laughing it all off. But deep inside, we will never know what she is feeling,” she added.
Jao said she still hopes that one of J´s relatives will come fetch her and take her back to Sogod.
In the meantime, the PSWDO continues to do all it can to provide her safety, privacy and basic necessities.
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