HE lets the minor children take drugs (shabu) by force to the extent of punching them on the head so that when they’re already addicted to it he can easily command them to go on wanton stealing.
This was how the situation enumerated by Kagawad Jerome Sambaan to Gold Star Daily on why rampant thievery and petty crimes committed by juvenile delinquent children have become one of the existing problems today in the coastal Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City.
On Monday, September 30, the Barangay Bonbon Tanods, led by their Chief Jolord Berdon and assisted by some personnel from Precinct 4 Carmen Police Station, brought the 34-year-old car washer Mark Rambuyon from Zone 1 along with around 10 youngsters cum his victims aged 15 years old and younger to the headquarter of the Lupong Tagapamayapa.
There, the messy-looking Rambuyon admitted to his crime before the Barangay Council and Lupon officials and some of the victims’ parents during the ensuing interrogation conducted by Precinct 4 Assistant Chief Chaplin Selaras.
“Looy kaayo ang mga bata kay ipalinya sila og suyop ang modili pukpokon sumbagon ang ulo. Once addicted na, dili na sila enteron pagsuyop sa shabu kon dili mo chip-in mao nga mapugos na dayon sa pagpangawat,” said Sambaan, who revealed that drug-dealing ― despite a number of arrest among the locals ― is still prevalent in Bonbon.
Most of the complainants on the seemingly unending thievery are the fishermen whose fishing boats will be cannibalized of engine batteries, electrical wires, and lights, among others, on any given day.
“Apil akong baroto nakawatan gihapon sa mga bata. Ang mga tingga ug wire sa suga naapil nila'g patimbang wala lang nako napa-blotter,” said Barangay Bonbon Messenger Casiano Asas Jr.
Police Officer Selaras, who is the focal person on drugs-related issues in the communities under Precinct 4, reprimanded Rambuyon and his possible cohorts on the seriousness of their crime with emphasis on giving education on the effect of substance abuse.
“Medyo wala sa maayong pangisip kining nasapon nga suspek nga maoy gigamit pud tingali sa mga tigpayuhot sa druga nga maoy tumbok nga unta madakpan sa atong kapulisan. Atong seryosohon pagsulbad kining problema sa druga nga mi resulta sa pag panamastamas sa mga bata ug daghang pang hitabo sa kawat,” vowed Bonbon Chair Lelit Baal-Molina.
