POLICE rescued 75 boys and girls who were underage in the southern town of Minglanilla, Cebu on Monday night, October 31, 2022, as part of their One Time Big Time Operation against violators of the curfew for minors.
The youngest was two years old. Majority, or more than 20, were 17-year olds. They were followed by 14-year olds, who numbered more than 10. Nine of the minors were 15 or 16 years old. The rest were 13-year olds (five), 12-year olds (three), 11-year olds (two) and one eight-year old and one nine-year old.
In Cebu Province, minors, or those below 18 years old, are subjected to a curfew from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent or they are out for an essential errand.
According to Mayor Arieza Otida, chief of the Minglanilla Police Station, they launched the operation in all the town’s barangays with the help of barangay tanods.
Otida said they will continue to rescue minors every night.
She said the minors who were rescued Monday night were formally turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office.
She added that they already warned the parents that if they did not take care of their children they could be charged in court. (BBT/PJB)