Group of minors harasses jeepney passengers in Las Piñas

A group of minors harassed passengers aboard a jeepney in Las Piñas City on Saturday, with one of them seen carrying an ice pick.

In Marisol Abdurahman’s report on "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday, the minors were caught on camera attempting to board a jeepney along Barangay Almazan Uno.

They appeared to be grabbing items from passengers.

“Isang minor doon na may allegedly ice pick. Ang sabi, nagdala raw po ng ice pick iyon kasi may mga kalaban,” said Pilar Sub-station commander Police Capt. Lawrence Charmino.

(“One of the minors was allegedly carrying an ice pick. He reportedly brought it because he has rivals.”)

The Las Piñas City Police, in coordination with barangay officials, conducted an operation on Sunday. Eight minors, aged nine to 14, were rescued, four of whom were identified from the viral video.

“May isang minor din diyan na naghihikayat sa kanilang sumama. Tinanong namin kung anong gagawin nila, pero ang sinabi nila, wala silang kaalam-alam kung saan sila pupunta at kung ano ang gagawin nila,” Charmino said.

(“There was also one minor who was encouraging the others to join. When we asked what they planned to do, they said they had no idea where they were going or what they would do.”)

Among those rescued was the 13-year-old daughter of a woman identified as “Lita.” The mother said she preferred that her daughter remain under the care of social workers for at least a week.

“Trese anyos, babae—mas mapapariwara siya kung nasa labas. Inamin ng nanay na hindi na niya kaya, na hindi na nila makontrol,” said Barangay Almazan Uno chairperson Carlo Francisco.

(“She is 13 years old. She may go further astray if she remains out on the streets. The mother admitted she can no longer handle or control her.”)

The minors underwent medical checkups, the report added.

Police urged parents to closely monitor their children.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to locate the other minors seen in the video, including the one carrying the ice pick.

They also encouraged victims to file complaints so that the parents of the minors may be held accountable.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA News