THE Davao City Social Works and Development Office chief Malou Bermudo on Sunday appealed for communities to be aware and concerned about child abuse as she bewailed the death of two-year-old Earl John Cagalitan after severe punishment by his cousins, couple Ronilo and Sara Jane Alca-in, to whom Earl John's care was entrusted to while Earl John's mother Erlinda is in Bahrain as an overseas Filipino worker.
From their case investigation, she said, it appears that neighbors heard the loud cries of Earl John, but no one thought it proper to call for help.
"Hindi man nating masabi na problemang pamilya yan, ano naman kasi ang laban ng bata (We can't say it's a family problem. What can a child do?)," Bermudo said on the sidelines of the 46th anniversary celebration of Boys Town in Maa, Sunday.
Bermudo reminded Dabawenyos that the city has the Kean Gabriel Hotline 0908-8184444, which operates 24/7 to help victims of child abuse. If that number is difficult to memorize, then anyone can call Central 911 for help and this will be immediately referred to the CSSDO Quick Response Team for Children Center, which means the Kean Gabriel Hotline.
The hotline is a cooperation among the Integrated Gender Development Division, the City Health Office, Central 911, the Philippine National Police and the Children Center of City Social Services and Development Office.
Awareness and concern spells the difference between life and death of a young child.
Bermudo said that right after the John Earl case, they were able to rescue another young child from the hands of his parents who were reportedly battering the child, as well. The child was saved, but only because neighbors were concerned enough to call. John Earl and Kean Gabriel Agustin, for whom the hotline was named after, were not as lucky as neighbors preferred to ignore a child's cry.
"It takes a village to raise a child" is a proverb attributed to the Africans, but similar sayings have also been gathered around the world. It simply means that for a child to grow up to be a healthy adult, it takes the active involvement of the child's community in its rearing, whether it be in looking out for the best interest of the child or socializing with other children and parents. With values now changing and more and more children subjected to punishments greater than their tiny bodies can bear, it takes a village indeed to save a child from the hands of those who are supposed to be taking care of him or her.
If you still doubt this, then just remember how small Kean Gabriel and John Earl were when they died. Kean was just three turning four, John Earl was just two; both helpless to defend themselves.