INSTEAD of using an iron fist, reach out to street children with tender hands.
This was the appeal of Fr. Carmelo Diola, executive director of Dilaab Foundation Inc., following the death of 11-year-old child beggar Chastity Mirabiles who, according to another street child, was mauled by a Fuente station policeman.
“An overwhelming number of street kids actually look up to policemen as their heroes, and even dream of following in their footsteps,” said Diola, who has been tending and catechizing street children for four years.
Diola said dealing with street kids requires patience.
“Street kids are not threats but gifts waiting to be discovered and nurtured. But it takes time, patience, and organized charity,” he said in a statement sent to CDN.
Diola called on people to join groups providing pastoral guidance for street children. This is a special initiative for 2015, the Year of the Poor, and in preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu next January.
“We ask for prayers and active charity from individuals and communities to accompany street children in their journey of restoration. By doing so, Chastity would not have died in vain,” he said.
He said the absence of Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, the chief of the Fuente Police, who went on vacation leave at the height of the controversy, will not help ferret the truth surrounding Chastity’s death.
He said her death was shocking since the NBI autopsy said she died from “blunt traumatic injuries”.
“Whoever is responsible for this cowardly and cruel deed must answer not only to God but also to the courts of law,” Diola said. He, however, clarified that people are presumed innocent pending investigation.
Diola reminded policemen not to use their superior strength against street children.
“Admittedly, policemen often measure their success by the number of criminals they arrest or kill. They call it the ‘body count.’ This mindset, while understandable, can also lead to abuses especially when one seeks instant results,” he said.
Last year, Diola took part in a program to bring a hundred street children in Cebu City to receive their first Holy Communion.
He worked with then Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, and and Ret. Police Chief Supt. Samson Tucay, who inspired the priest to organize the activity.
Diola said his group aims to intensify the program.