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Thursday, September 22, 2005
Judge's findings: Children abused at center
By Grecar Nilles
CEBU CITY -- They were made to kneel, slapped, and physically and mentally abused in the Operation Second Chance Center, said at least five children who complained to the jail management.
The court found two social workers in the facility liable for the abuse and wants them reassigned.
In a letter to the management board, the children complained of physical and mental abuse committed against them by some jail guards and social workers, who are supposed to help them in their rehabilitation and reformation process.
This is the second instance some personnel of the facility for youth offenders were investigated on allegations of abuses and maltreatment of the children.
One girl wrote to the board that she was made to kneel, then was hit with a slab of wood, slapped and pinched by a social worker.
Another was ridiculed and was often called "bigaon" (a flirt) and even threatened that she would rot inside the facility in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
Some boys allegedly also experienced being manhandled by jail guards and even mauled by habal-habal (motorcycle-for-fire) drivers upon the consent of the guards.
In a report to the facility's management board, Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge and OSCC's managing director Olegario Sarmiento Jr. found the allegations to be true.
Sarmiento has recommended for the reassignment of social workers Emy Sta. Cruz and Frances Abangan after he found them liable for the abuse.
Abangan asked for forgiveness and for reconsideration on the transfer, while the management board did not hear any word from Sta. Cruz.
"I am pleading to the Honorable Judge to be compassionate and forgiving if I committed an infraction. And please, I am asking for another chance to reform. I promise that the thing (that) happened is a great learning experience for me. I am very sorry," Abangan said in her letter.
Jail officers Renante Ramirez, Raglen Cimafranca, Dindo Sienes, Filberto Antiquiña and Mary Glor Mejorada were reprimanded and warned that a repetition of the incident will be dealt with more severely.
The five jail guards, however, were allowed to continue working in the facility, but only after they underwent a comprehensive lecture on the rights of the children and made to promise that the children should be protected.
In his investigation, Sarmiento found out that "strong hands were laid on the boys causing some physical harm to them," while "statements that demean the dignity of the girls" were hurled against them.
Some social workers and jail officers even threaten the children that their cases would not be followed up, if they would not obey them (social workers and jail guards).
With this, Sarmiento called on legal and paralegal organizations to help these children in their cases, to prevent abuse and "overserving" of sentences.
"It would also be good if the Supreme Court can provide a mobile court to Cebu City, so that hearings on the cases of the minor offenders can be held inside the facility," Sarmiento said.
Sarmiento, however, said the allegations about the heads of children being banged to the wall and mauling were "quite exaggerated."
In the same report, Sarmiento said the children's complaint may be attributed to the bickering between Abangan and Sta. Cruz, who allegedly play favorites and have "illusions of grandeur."
Sarmiento recommended for a review on the rules regarding the discipline committee--from its composition, conduct of investigation and extent of punishment.
For complaints, he also suggested the setting up a "suggestion box" to avoid "intercepting" of letters from the children.
Formation of gangs should also be prohibited, to prevent gang wars and riots, as well as tattooing and torture.
In 2002, a boy complained that he was sexually abused by seven of his older inmates.
Since the center's establishment in April 2002, reports of maltreatment inside the facility have remained, but the management board is doing its best to contain the problem, Sarmiento said. (Sun.Star Cebu/Sunnex)
(September 22, 2005 issue)
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