Marilao chieftain denies abuse raps amid quarantine implementation

MANILA, Philippines — The chairman of a barangay in Marilao, Bulacan on Tuesday distanced himself from allegations of child abuse and abuse of authority for allegedly causing two minors out of their guardian’s house on the night of April 17, in light of the supposed quarantine guidelines being implemented in their barangay and subdivision.

Speaking on the phone in an interview over dzBB, Segundo Angeles, chairman of Barangay Saog claimed he was not physically present when village officials went to the house of complainant Manuel Marinay, and allegedly forcibly brought the minors out so they could go home to their parents’ home in the next barangay.

According to Angeles, the barangay officials were only responding to a report from the officers of Villa Roma 3 subdivision, which is within his jurisdiction.

“Tumawag po sila (homeowners’ association) na meron pong commotion daw. Humihingi po ng responde kaya nagpadala kami ng barangay tanod sakay ng barangay patrol para alamin kung ano ang kanilang nirereport,” Angeles said.

(They called us and said there was a commotion in the area. They requested help so we sent barangay watchmen aboard barangay patrol vehicle to confirm what they have reported about.)

Marinay earlier filed a letter-complaint before Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Secretary Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the national plan vs COVID-19, claiming the officials of the barangay and homeowners association had subjected his nephew and grandson, aged 17 and 15, respectively, to abuse, and discrimination, among others — allegedly on the pretext of implementing quarantine measures.

The homeowners’ president alleged that since they were not listed as members of his household based on the subdivision’s records, they shouldn’t be in Marinay’s house. This, according to him, was pursuant to a homeowners resolution on the matter, but which Marinay claimed he was not furnished with.

Upon being informed of the incident, Angeles said somebody from their barangay contacted their counterpart in the nearby village where Marinay’s sister-in-law, the mother of his nephew, was living so that they can escort the two minors there.

Angeles also said that the incident happened before the curfew, contrary to the claim of Mahinay, who said that the officials came to his house at about 8 p.m. and that the children were turned over to them at about 10 p.m.

The barangay chairman explained that as a measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease, the subdivision, a private area, had “internal rules” that only a maximum of six persons are allowed inside each residence. He said there were eight individuals in the house of Marinay.

Marinay earlier explained that he was the guardian of the two minors and that they have been staying in his house, with the consent of their parents, even before the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon started.

EDV