Lawyers group seeks release of minors nabbed in Navotas drug bust

A lawyer's group has filed a petition for the release of four children who were nabbed in an anti-drug operation in Navotas City last January 16 and are still in the care of social workers.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) claimed to have "rescued" a total of 12 minors in the raid of a slum area,  where sixteen people were arrested.

According to GMA News' Jun Veneracion in his report on "Balitanghali" on Wednesday, the group Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc. (IDEALS) filed a petition for the writ of habeas corpus before the Navotas Regional Trial Court for the four children aged four, five, eight and 13.

IDEALS Inc. lawyer Mario Maderazo said there is no legal basis for the four minors to be detained further at Bahay Pag-asa, where they have been staying for almost a month.

The Catholic Church of Navotas also asked that they all be returned to the care of their parents. 

The mother of the three girls who were "rescued" in the operation turned emotional at the press conference when she appealed for her children's freedom.

Sister Maria May Cano read to the press a message from Kalookan Bishop Pablo David, who stressed that rights of the children should be respected and they should be reunited with their parents. — Margaret Claire Layug/RSJ, GMA News