MANILA, (PNA) – The Dept. of Social Welfare and Development reminded and urged parents in evacuation centers to take care of their children and should not let strangers or even relatives to take care of them.
According to DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, she issued the reminder as she was alarmed with the report that a six-year-old girl was raped on Sept 19 by a distant relative of the child’s father inside the tent in the evacuation center.
“I strongly remind and appeal to parents in evacuation centers to take care of their children and should not let strangers or even relatives to take care of them,” said Soliman.
Soliman said the child was raped at night when both parents left the child under the care of that man.
Soliman said that the victim is now under the custody of the DSWD for psycho-social therapy intervention while the perpetrator is now in jail.
“Security in evacuation centers especially at the biggest evacuation center at grandstand, where the incident happened is now being closely monitored and strengthened,” said Soliman.
She also added that to prevent similar incidents from happening, the DSWD will strengthen protection services for women and children at evacuation centers with the help of the local city police.
“Together with the City Government of Zamboanga, we will increase lighting facilities in the evacuation centers to easily see movements of people around,” the DSWD chief said.
She likewise added that day care centers will be expanded so that parents can leave their children freely under the care of DSWD’s social workers.