Mother charged for detaining minor son

CEBU, Philippines — A 43-year-old mother is facing charges before the court for allegedly detaining her six-year-old son inside their house, depriving him of his liberty without any legal or justifiable cause.

Prosecutor II Ramon Carisma of Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office held the accused, a resident of Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, for trial after finding probable cause.

In an inquest proceeding, the accused opted not to answer the allegations filed against her. Instead, she manifested to face the charges in court. She is facing slight illegal detention in relation to child abuse and other acts of child abuse.

The FREEMAN withheld the name of the mother due to the nature of the case.

Clarinda Dacay, in her sworn-statement, said that being appointed as Gender and Development (GAD) focal person of Barangay Calamba, her function includes rescuing minors and children at risk.

On April 2019, she was informed by their barangay tanod that there is a minor detained by his mother inside their house but there was no formal report about it.

On May 16, 2019, the neighbors of the child informed her about the situation and she checked the minor’s house to confirm the report.

She sought the help of the barangay tanods and the police and they destroyed the padlocks of the two doors to the house.

Dacay said the minor was crying when they rescued him. He was brought to the Department of Social Welfare Services. — MBG (FREEMAN)