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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD closely monitoring kidnapping case filed vs orphanage

DSWD closely monitoring kidnapping case filed vs orphanage

Published Jun 13, 2023 07:56 am
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the DSWD is closely monitoring the case of kidnapping and serious detention filed by a mother against the Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI). In a television interview on June 12, Gatchalian said the Department of Justice (DOJ) had already filed kidnapping charges against the private orphanage. “There are five similarly situated cases wherein distressed mothers were, somehow, the children were forcibly separated from the mother, which is no-no in the department. Definitely, you don’t break families apart,” Gatchalian said. He said the DSWD is assisting other parents with concerns about GHI by referring them to proper authorities, such as the DOJ. “The parents saw stories about Gentle Hands and they were emboldened to come out in the open. Kasi noon ay sila-sila lang (Because then it was just them), they felt helpless. So now, suddenly, they come to us. So we would direct them to the proper agency,” Gatchalian said. GHI, which operates childcare centers in Quezon City and Bulacan, was temporarily shut down on May 25 after the DSWD issued a cease-and-desist order for various violations. DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez pointed out that overcrowding, the use of triple-decker beds, blocking fire exits, and the lack of social workers during the spot inspections were some of the GHI’s violations.

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