The youngsters found to have destroyed “parols” (star lanterns) hung by the roadside in Loay town, Bohol had repaired and put them back in place. 

The children, ages 11 years old to 14 years old, along with their parents showed up in a meeting with the Municipal Social Welfare Officer, chief of Loay Police, and officials of Barangay Villalimpia on December 19, 2023.

Mayor Lahar Ayuban called for the meeting after the youngsters were identified based on CCTV footage and information from concerned citizens.

The children admitted to destroying the Christmas lanterns reportedly for fun, and apologized for their wrong-doing. 

The officials told the children how inappropriate and displeasing their acts were. Their parents also received counseling.

With the supervision of their parents, the youngsters repaired the lanterns, and put these back where these were installed.

Ayuban reiterated that a number of people had sacrificed their time, financial resources, and effort to design the lanterns, light them up, and display them to, at least, provide a concrete representation of the spirit of Christmas.

“Gihaguan ug gama ang mga STARS para maghatag ug kalamdag sa atong kadalanan ug maghatag ug dugang diwa sa PASKO. Para kini natong tanan, maong ato kining AMPINGAN!” Ayuban said in his post, with emphasis on words he typed in caps-lock. 

To recall, the mayor, in his dismay, offered a cash reward worth P10,000 to people who can provide accurate information on those involved in the rude act.

He underscored that electricians, students, women’s groups, the Sangguniang Kabataan, barangay officials, job-order employees, casual workers, and even beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) collaborated in the works from the making to the mounting of the Christmas lanterns.

However, the lanterns bore holes days after these were hung. 

“Nagtinabangay ang tanan para molamdag ang atong kadalanan ug aron mapakita ang diwa sa Pasko. Maong gikasakit nako ang akong nakita nga mga stars nga gibinuangan ug gituyo sa pagbuslot sa mga tawo nga wa naghunahuna sa kahago sa mga tawo nga naglihok ug naningkamot aron kini magama ug mataod,” he earlier expressed.