By Minka Klaudia Tiangco Two parents, whose children were rescued in a drug raid conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), filed petitions to summon their children in court and question their detention at the Bahay Pag-Asa residential facility. The parents were assisted by lawyers from the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS), Inc. when they filed their petitions for writ of habeas corpus before the Navotas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Wednesday morning. The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 states that children in conflict with the law must be immediately released to their parents if they are 15 years old or younger, said representatives from IDEALS, Inc. The raid in question, which netted 28 drug suspects, including 12 minors—some as young as 4 years old—was done at the Navotas Fish Port Complex on January 16. PDEA drew flak after supposedly parading the minors before the media. In a statement, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Caloocan Diocese asked authorities, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to respect the children's human rights. "Walang kasamang tauhan ng DSWD ang PDEA nang kunin nila ang mga bata (PDEA was not accompanied by DSWD personnel when they rounded up the children)," the statement read. "Ikinulong sila sa mga silid na parang kulungan lang ng mga aso (They were detained inside rooms similar to dog cages)," the bishop added. The parents denied that their children were involved in illegal drug activity and demanded that they be released from Bahay Pag-Asa in Navotas City. However, authorities denied the parents' request, saying that the children must be placed in an environment that will help them rehabilitate. "Gusto lang po namin silang makapiling," said an emotional parent in a press conference held after the filing. "Bakit po kami ang ginigipit nila?" The parent, whose three daughters are being held in Bahay Pag-Asa, also said they will fight against the neglect and child abuse cases filed against them by PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino. "'Di porket wala kaming pinag-aralan, 'di namin kayang mag-ano sakanila (Just because we did not receive formal schooling does not mean that we can’t fight back)," she said. "Lalo po kaming magkakawatak-watak na pamilya kung gagawin nila 'yon (Our family will break down further if they do that)," she said amid tears. Atty. Ansheline Bacudio of IDEALS, Inc. said the parents are allowed to visit their children at the residential facility but it would be better for the minors to be returned home to their families. "Walang batayan para manatili sila doon (There is no basis for the children to stay at Bahay Pag-Asa)," said Atty. Mario Maderazo of IDEALS, Inc. "Kung tatanggalan ng parental authority ang mga magulang, kailangan may proseso rin (If they plan on stripping the parents of their parental authority, that has to undergo a process, too)."