30 youth offenders on the loose
September 12, 2002 | 12:00am
Thirty boys, aged 10 to 17, broke out of a juvenile detention center in Manila yesterday by sawing off a metal padlock in their door.
Lily Sonaria, head of the Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC), said the boys were able to escape at around 2:30 a.m. They broke out of the MYRC Matapat Dormitory on Areceros Street through the back exit and climbed over the center’s rear wall.
Sonaria said the guards manning the detention center did not notice the breakout until one of the remaining inmates called their attention and informed them about the escape.
"Police are now searching for the escaped detainees," she said.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza directed Western Police District (WPD) director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong to work for the immediate recapture of the 30 youth offenders.
"Track them down and make sure they are recovered safely and returned to the center," Atienza told Bulaong.
Probers are also looking into reports that a minor facing murder and frustrated murder, was the one who planned and led the escape.
The mayor ordered an investigation into the escape, warning that center officials and personnel found remiss in their duties would face disciplinary action.
He also appealed to the parents of the escapees to surrender their children so as not to aggravate the situation.
"They are already in trouble as it is. It is in their best interest that they be returned to the MYRC," Atienza said.
The MYRC, run by the city hall under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, houses 169 offenders under 18 years old.
The boys’ cases include theft, drug use, rape, robbery and other crimes.
Yesterday’s escape was blamed on the deplorable conditions at the MYRC, including overcrowding and lack of facilities.
DSWD Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman admitted there is overcrowding in several youth rehabilitation centers all over the country, particularly in Metro Manila.
Soliman said the DSWD cannot accommodate detainees at the MYRC since all their other rehabilitation centers are also full.
The MYRC was previously run by the DSWD but was devolved to the city government of Manila. – With Rainier Allan Ronda
Lily Sonaria, head of the Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC), said the boys were able to escape at around 2:30 a.m. They broke out of the MYRC Matapat Dormitory on Areceros Street through the back exit and climbed over the center’s rear wall.
Sonaria said the guards manning the detention center did not notice the breakout until one of the remaining inmates called their attention and informed them about the escape.
"Police are now searching for the escaped detainees," she said.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza directed Western Police District (WPD) director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong to work for the immediate recapture of the 30 youth offenders.
"Track them down and make sure they are recovered safely and returned to the center," Atienza told Bulaong.
Probers are also looking into reports that a minor facing murder and frustrated murder, was the one who planned and led the escape.
The mayor ordered an investigation into the escape, warning that center officials and personnel found remiss in their duties would face disciplinary action.
He also appealed to the parents of the escapees to surrender their children so as not to aggravate the situation.
"They are already in trouble as it is. It is in their best interest that they be returned to the MYRC," Atienza said.
The MYRC, run by the city hall under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, houses 169 offenders under 18 years old.
The boys’ cases include theft, drug use, rape, robbery and other crimes.
Yesterday’s escape was blamed on the deplorable conditions at the MYRC, including overcrowding and lack of facilities.
DSWD Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman admitted there is overcrowding in several youth rehabilitation centers all over the country, particularly in Metro Manila.
Soliman said the DSWD cannot accommodate detainees at the MYRC since all their other rehabilitation centers are also full.
The MYRC was previously run by the DSWD but was devolved to the city government of Manila. – With Rainier Allan Ronda
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