Parañaque rescue center exposed homeless children to abuse—group

Homeless children were placed in a facility that exposed them to physical and even sexual abuse ahead of the papal visit, GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" reported on Wednesday.

 

"Dinala sila sa isang pasilidad sa Paranaque na, sa unang tingin pa lang, nakikita naman na itong pasilidad ay hindi karapat-dapat para sa mga bata," said Francis Bermido, People's Recovery Empowerment and Development Assistance (Preda) Executive.

 

"Sa center namin sa Preda.... 'Dun nila kinekwento sa 'min yung naranasan nila sa loob ng pasilidad na ito, na sila ay hinahampas ng paddle. Tapos ang pinaka-malala nga, may ilan sa kanilang nag-sabi na inabuso silang sekswal dun sa loob ng pasilidad na ito," Bermido relayed.

 

 

While the organization tried to contact DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, no replies were forthcoming from the agency.

 

Though the papal visit blew up the issue, the Preda executive said rounding up street children and putting them in facilities such as Bahay Pag-Asa - Paranaque was routine.

 

"Kung ginagalang natin ang karapatan ng mga bata, kahit wala yung pagbisita ni Pope Francis, ay hindi dapat ganun ang ginagawa natin sa mga batang kalye," said Bermido.

 

Soliman and the DSWD were recently accused of allegedly hiding street dwellers in a resort in Batangas a day before the visit of Pope Francis.

 

Soliman admitted on Tuesday that the DSWD's efforts to bring street dwellers to the resort for a "family camp" was part of the efforts to clear Roxas Boulevard for the Papal Visit. —NB, GMA News