Rescued street dwellers return; final round up operation set

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office is set to have a final round up of street dwellers around the city.

CCPO deputy director for operations, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, said they received reports that some mendicants had returned in the area.

The police along with the personnel of Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement Team had conducted rescue of street dwellers.

They were placed in a temporary shelter provided by the city government where they were found out that they have houses in the city but opted to live in the streets to beg for alms.

“Pwerte ra jung gamaya sa porsyento na walay mga balay, halos kini sila tanan, 90 percent nila naay mga balay sa Cebu City,” said Parilla.

Parilla said that during their final round up, they will make sure that corresponding penalties in relation to the anti-mendicancy ordinance will be charged against them.

“There are no longer allowed nga mobalik pa sa ilaha without any penalties, nahimo nalang ni nga mura nalang og walay epekto kay inig human og (rescue) mga pila ka semana balik na sad,” said Parilla.

Parilla said they will be coordinating with the city government in the conduct of final round of their rescue operation.

He added that they have already enforced several warning against them not to go back to the streets.

As to the remaining five individuals considered as locally-stranded individuals (LSIs), Parilla said they were already sent back to their respective hometowns.

The last round up is expected to happen within the week according to Parilla. — GMR (FREEMAN)