31 youths held for quarantine violations flee from Manila shelter

A total of 31 minors earlier arrested for violating COVID-19 quarantine protocols on Thursday fled from a temporary shelter of the Manila City government.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras,” the minors were caught on video jumping over the fence of the shelter in Barangay 334. The shelter is where street children and minor quarantine violators are brought.

“Naiinip ba o may mga bisyo sa labas, mga na-abandon ng magulang,” Gilbert Navarro, a volunteer at the shelter, said.

Social workers expressed dismay over the incident.

“Wala akong magagawa kung ayaw nila diyan, gusto nila kumalat sa lansangan,” a social worker said.

Officials of the barangay said that rescued minors often escape from the shelter.

“Pagka-minsan po ‘yung iba diyan, gagawa ng gulo dito sa loob tapos pagka syempre ‘yung atensyon nung mga DSWD diyan doon sa nagkakagulo, sasamantalahin naman po nung iba na makatalon po sa bakod,” barangay chairman Dionisio Busalpa said.

Meanwhile, the city social welfare said that some of those who escaped return during meal time.

“‘Hindi na ako papayag. 'Pag babalik lang sila para kumain, hindi ko talaga tatangapin,” the social worker said.

To avoid a similar incident, authorities have tightened security in the shelter while more police personnel have been deployed.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LD, GMA News