At least 13 children in conflict with the law (CICLs) fled a rehabilitation center in Cebu City at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, but were rescued afterwards.

One of the CICLs at the Operation Second Chance facility reasoned out he seeks to join a fiesta celebration.

The 17-year-old CICL surrendered before Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, saying he does not want to spend Christmastime in the facility.

He said they planned running away from the Operation Second Chance facility on the night of September 2, 2025 by jumping off the fence.

Authorities responded immediately and rescued the 12 CICLs, citing their desire to have the 17-year-old boy turned over as well back to the shelter.

The facility observes a stringent policy. Members of the media stayed only outside of the facility and were provided with very limited information.

According to City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Committee on Disaster Response, one of the first CICLs to bolt from the center sought to attend the christening of his child.

A barbed wire was mounted on the fence surrounding the facility to pad a repeat of the incident.

The person in-charge of Operation Second Chance has not issued a statement yet, as of this writing.

The head of the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) has not replied either to inquiries made by GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak on interventions they have provided to the rescued CICLs.