Child in viral video begging while holding a knife rescued

Authorities rescued a child who went viral online after she was caught holding a knife while begging along the intersection of Alabang-Zapote Road and Diego Cera Avenue in Las Piñas City.

According to Darlene Cay’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, the child is now under the custody of the Las Piñas City government.

“So, immediately nga, itong batang ito ay ni-rescue. Ni-rescue ito ng barangay… So, ngayon, nasa pangangalaga na sila ng City Social Welfare and Development,” said Las Piñas City Police chief PCol. Sandro Jay Tafalla.

(She was rescued by the barangay…So they are now under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development.)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on the other hand, said it has already coordinated with the local government unit.

“When this went viral, nakipag-uugnayan na kami sa local government at nasa kanila na, even as we speak. Unfortunately, supposedly the mother of the minor is a drug dependent. So hindi niya talaga naaalagaan yung bata,” said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

(When this went viral, we immediately coordinated with the local government, and she’s now in their care, even as we speak. Unfortunately, the mother of the minor is reportedly drug-dependent, so she really can't take care of the child.)

For now, the child has to undergo full evaluation by the local government’s social workers before she can be turned over to DSWD’s shelter, the report said.

“Sa ngayong punto na ito, walang kapasidad yung magulang, yung natitirang magulang na palakihin yung bata. So the state has to come in. We will make sure na ma-rehabilitate, ma-iayos bago natin siya ibalik sa community na pero nakalatag na yung plano para sa kanya,” said Gatchalian.

(At this point, the parent doesn't have the capacity to raise the child, so the state has to step in. We'll make sure she will be rehabilitated and will be in a stable condition before we return them to the community. The plan for her is already laid out.)

Meanwhile, the local police said it will boost its visibility in the said thoroughfare and implement a curfew. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News