CEBU CITY – At least 34 minors were rescued by the police on Tuesday from the streets of this city with high density of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
The minors, aged 15 to 17 years old, were caught either playing computer games in internet cafes or playing outdoor basketball.
Police Maj. Ardiolito Cabagnot, battalion commander of Task Force Kasaligan, said police and civilian anti-crime volunteers went on patrol in Barangays Labangon, Mambaling, Lorega, and T. Padilla to ensure that minimum health protocols were being followed.
After catching some minors playing basketball in three separate courts, policemen took off the rings from the goal posts, Cabagnot said.
Cabagnot said they also caught two teenagers possessing packs of suspected shabu.
The two teenagers were accosted by police, and were asked to present their quarantine passes when a pack of suspected shabu fell from the face mask of one of the minors.
The other teenager was also caught throwing a plastic sachet containing crystalline substance believed to be shabu, said Cabagnot.
“We have already called the attention of these rescued minors and reminded to look after their children because it is them who are going to face charges if these quarantine violations continue,” said Cabagnot.
Police Col. Josefino Ligan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said children who need to go internet shops for their online classes must be accompanied by their parents.
“The parents have to be there and help ensure that social distancing is observed,” said Ligan.
Ligan has instructed the detachment commanders to strictly monitor internet shops in the barangays.