THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), together with the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) and the City Social Welfare and Services, will start rescuing minors who are found caroling and begging for alms on the streets as Christmas is just around the corner.

The increasing number of street children begging for alms from motorists as they sing Christmas carols has been observed in the city lately.

This prompted the CCPO to call on the public to channel their help to a charitable institution rather than give to the street children to protect them from traffic-related accidents.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, CCPO spokesperson, also urged the public to report to their station child beggars on the streets.

Macatangay said those children who will be rescued will undergo an investigation to determine who their masterminds are.

“Kung atong mapamatod-an nga adunay sindikato nga nagpaluyo ani, ato pud paningkamotan nga madakop ni sila sa ilang pagbuhat nga pag-abuso ani nga mga bataa,” Macatangay said.

(If we have proof that there are syndicates behind this, we will try to arrest them for abusing the children).

Macatangay added that the WCPD and the city’s Anti-Mendicancy Board will coordinate with the Cebu Police Provincial Office in the rescue operation. (AYB, BBT / TPT)