Chastity’s friend tells story of Easter Sunday roundup

BEHIND closed doors, Hope (not her real name) recounted to an investigator of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas the circumstances behind the death of her friend, street child Chastity Mirables.

The girl witness was accompanied by Dr. Ester Concha, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services in Cebu City.

“I and the others present inside the room simply observed and listened although the other agencies gave questions to (NBI agent Donaver Inesin) for her to ask the witness,” she said.

Also present were Insp. Arieza Otida, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO); and a representative of the Commission on Human Rights.

Only Inesin, a lawyer, was allowed to ask questions in order not to confuse the witness, Concha said. The proceedings lasted for three hours.

Protection

Concha declined to elaborate on what happened during the inquiry and what questions Inesin asked the witness.

“The questions are confidential. There were lots of questions the NBI agent asked her especially that the witness is a minor,” she told reporters.

She also refused to answer whether or not the witness identified Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu or any other policeman as the person who mauled Chastity.

“The girl testified to anything she remembers. It doesn’t mean that she pointed to someone (as a suspect),” Concha said.

She said DSWS is contemplating on placing the minor under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice while the investigation continues.

The girl is currently under the protection of DSWS.

“So far, I do not know of any threats. But maybe we can place her under the Witness Protection Program,” she said.

In an earlier interview, Concha said the witness claimed she and Chastity were mauled by a policeman of the Fuente police precinct in Cebu City last April 5. Chastity died the following day.

Last week, Chastity’s mother and grandfather expressed their intent to let the NBI handle the investigation.

Designated to conduct the investigation on Chastity’s death are NBI-7 Head Agent Rennan Augustus Oliva, Special Investigator Teodoro Saavedra and Special Investigator Arnel Pura.

Allegations

Based on the autopsy conducted by the NBI, Chastity died from  injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

Dr. Rene Cam, medico-legal officer of the NBI-7, said the girl may have been beaten with hard objects used by her assailant.

The Fuente police precinct is under investigation by five government agencies on allegations that they mauled Chastity and other street children.

Tiu was identified by a number of streetkids as having allegedly manhandled them after they were rounded up.

Tiu was replaced as Fuente police precinct chief by Chief Insp. David Senior, who promised to coordinate with social workers and other concerned agencies in Cebu City Hall when dealing with street minors.

Senior said he met with his personnel and reminded them to follow the law when handling street children.