After spending more than a month in a shelter for law-breaking minors, the 16-year-old girl accused of committing petty crimes can now go home to her province.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, co-chairperson of the Provincial Council on the Welfare of Children (PCWC), announced that “J” was scheduled to leave for southern Leyte yesterday.
But her escort, an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), was unable to accompany “J” due to another case in northern Cebu.
Despite this, Magpale said the Cebu provincial government decided to turn the girl over to a center in southern Leyte.
“We already did the best we could. The time has come that we should turn her over to another center,” she said.
Arrangements are still being made in Sogod and Tacloban City.
Responsibility
The vice governor said if Sogod town refuses to take her in, the girl will be sent to a facility in Tacloban City.
“J” has been in at least two shelters for children in conflict with the law in the last month.
She spent her Christmas and New Year in a center accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
By the time the minor is admitted into another center in southern Leyte, Vice Gov. Magpale said the Cebu provincial government will no longer assume responsibility for her welfare.
But Magpale clarified that she will still communicate with local officials and, perhaps, “J,” “if need be.”
Sick
The minor will still undergo a diversion program and her psychological examination results from Cebu will also be turned over to the facility.
The vice governor said “J” can only be transferred from one center to another or be turned over to her parents based on DSWD protocol.
She said “J’s” stepfather “categorically” said “no,” while her mother is “very sick.”
“J” has an 18-year-old sister but Magpale said she could not possibly care for her sibling.
An aunt of “J” also didn’t want to have anything to do with her, Magpale said.
Difficult case
The vice governor admitted that J committed many “violations” while inside the shelter.
Protocol prevents her from divulging what kind of violations these were, she said.
“Hers was a very difficult case,” Magpale revealed. The vice governor told reporters that all charges against “J” have been withdrawn.
“J” made headlines last December when she failed to pay P15,000 worth of bills in a resort in Asturias town, Cebu, and P2,000 worth of services in a salon in Cebu City.
Two estafa charges were filed against her in relation to these incidents. The girl also figured in a shoplifting incident in a mall in Mandaue City early last year.
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