Bacolod looks into molestation incident in boys' home

MANILA, Philippines — The Bacolod City government has started an investigation into the alleged sexual molestation of some boys in the city's Boys Home, an online news site reported Tuesday. Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported that Boys Home acting executive director Fr. Fernando Peralta said he has only one affidavit of one alleged victim. Peralta made the claim after Henry Streegan, a former consultant of the Bacolod Boys' Home, claimed that there are about seven to eight allegedly abused children. Streegan also claimed that there are ghost employees at the BBH and that the seven hired by city, only three appear and do not log in. Peralta also said the investigation could lead to other complaints of molestation at the Home, but added that the facts have to be established first. He would not comment on the allegations that a city employee committed the molestations, pointing out that an investigation is under way. As to the alleged ghost employees and theft, he said they have brought their concerns to the city and it is acting on the matter. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, meanwhile, urged those who have complaints about the Bacolod Boys Home to avoid spreading scandals so as not to scare donors or investors. "To people who love the BBH, I appeal to them not to spread scandals about it, because it is the orphans who will suffer. If they have valid issues, they should present these to the BBHFI or to the city and we will act on it," Leonardia said. In the meantime, Leonardia said he has transferred the people at the BBH who are subject of complaints, as a preventive measure to defuse tension in the institution. Executive Assistant Alex Colosso has been tasked to take care of the BBH in behalf of the city, and he is coordinating with Peralta in the meantime, he added. On the alleged molestation of boys at the BBH, Leonardia said matters involving minors are supposed to be kept from the public to protect them. "In the case of BBH, we should exercise extra prudence in dealing with the matter in order to protect the home," he said. If ever there are victims, they should come and report the matter to the Mayor's Office and we will have it investigated," he added. - GMANews.TV