PDEA files charges vs. parents of rescued minors in Navotas drug ops

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday filed charges against parents of the children who had been rescued during an anti-illegal drugs operations in Navotas City.

Parents were slapped with charges for violation of Section 10 of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act as well as violation of Article 59 of the Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.

"Filing the appropriate charges will serve as warning to parents for their neglect and letting their child roam in the streets, making them vulnerable to be used by groups involved in drug trafficking," PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino said in a statement.

Aquino said the PDEA is intensifying its campaign in order to prevent minors from being exploited by groups involved in illegal drugs.

The anti-drug agency also identified the parents charged: 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, and Jeffrey Molina Baltazar.

The operation conducted in a slum area in Barangay North Boulevard on January 16 resulted in the arrest of 16 people, including 12 minors aged four to 15.

The PDEA's actual video surveillance footage showed that the "rescued" minors were allegedly used as runners, pushers, or drug den maintainers.

According to PDEA, the operation was called “Oplan Sagip Bata,” which was described as a "high-impact anti-drug and rescue operation in alleged drug dens in Navotas Fishport."

The PDEA said the rescued minors are now under the custody of the city's Bahay Pag-Asa. — RSJ, GMA News