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This is a big problem with no easy solutions.
“Over the weekend, Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana ordered the apprehension of street children after receiving complaints that some of them have stolen from or robbed tourists in Ermita,” reports Rey Galupo in The Philippine Star.
In just two days, several incidents were recorded at the MPD General Assignment and Investigation Section (GAIS).
Last Fri, Jul 11, Korean Yunsik Choi, was robbed by four street children as he walked along Adriatico street at around 7pm.
Then, on Sat, Jul 12, Korean Kim Song Hoon, 22, was harrassed by at least six street kids aged 10 to 12 years old at around 6:45am. The kids even tried to block his path. When they finally left him alone, he realized that his Samsung mobile phone was missing.
That same day, at around 2pm, Danish tourist Branavan Annalingam also complained that he lost his mobile phone and money at the corner of J. Bocobo and P. Faura Streets after four street children surrounded him.
The report noted: “A source told The Philippine Star that at least two to three tourists are victimized everyday by street children who pose as beggars and some of the foreigners do not bother to file complaints.”
The source added that the children belong to a gang handled by a certain “Kuya,” who stays near the Ermita Church.
The report further pointed out: “Police said the operations against the street children were conducted in coordination with the local social welfare and development office, which is tasked to take care of the juvenile delinquents. However, this has become a vicious cycle because the street children are released after a few days and return to their old activities.”
Photo: News clip
