The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday filed charges of child abuse before the Navotas City Prosecutor’s Office against the parents of the minors rescued in an anti-drug operation last Jan. 16 in suspected drug dens at the Navotas fish port.
Director general Aaron Aquino led the filing of violation of Section 10 of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.
“This is the first case ever filed against the parents and guardians of minors allegedly involved in drug offense. [All] Parent must learn a lesson from this case,” he said.
He said the agency had thoroughly investigated the involvement of the children found at the drug dens.
Joland Fernandez Sta. Maria, Geralyn Gulles Patalita, Nicanor Alarde Rosalijos, Emie Moreno, Daniel Bautista, Mary Ann Paraon, Cipriano Glico Moso, Arlene Cortes Salvamante, Loren Ambulo, Rowena Mendoza, Gregory Rojo, Norma Dalimit, Liza Montalban, Ronjing Montalban, Romulo Aguilar Mahinay, Rosebel Sarno Mendoza, Jeffrey Molina Baltazar, all from Navotas City, were also charged with violation of Presidential Decree 603.
The high-impact operation tagged as “Oplan Sagip Bata” was conducted last Jan. 16 in suspected drug dens at the fish port in Barangay North Boulevard that resulted in the arrest of two drug personalities and rescue of 12 minors aged four to 15 years.
The PDEA said investigation showed the minors were used as runners of the drug den maintainers, and that they, too, were using drugs.
The minors rescued were placed in the custody of the Bahay Pag-Asa youth center.