2 minors padlocked inside quarantine facility in Palawan town
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– Two returning minors were allegedly padlocked inside a quarantine facility by a village chief in Roxas, a northern town in Palawan.
Andrew Goldfarb, village chief of Barangay Tinitian, on Wednesday claimed that the action was merely to ensure the safety of the minors.
“It’s true we padlocked them as a security measure. We don’t want anything bad to happen to them at night so we have to ensure their safety,” he said.
Romalyn Racho, head of the Health Education and Promotion Unit of the Department of Health (DOH) in Mimaropa, said the local official was called to explain his action.
“We have talked to the authorities in Roxas. They issued a summon to the barangay captain. We will await further developments from the local government,” she said.
The returning stranded minors, ages 14 and 12, arrived with their relatives from Cebu on June 14 and were sent straight to a quarantine facility in the said town.
Golifardo stressed that the gates were locked only in the evening and that the parents of the minors were informed about the situation.
He explained that due to the limited power supply in the area and frequent electric service interruptions, the literal lockdown on the facility was necessary.
“We advised the parents of the minors upon their arrival. We don’t have electric power all night. Once we turn off the portable generator, the area will be abandoned,” Golifardo said.
He said they padlocked the gate for the protection of the minors. “What if someone comes in and kills them? We don’t want that to happen,” he said.
He dared other public officials to check the facility and the imposed protocol, ensuring that there is no such maltreatment on the returning individuals at the quarantine facility.
“I challenge the DILG, police, or DSWD to come here and inspect if there is maltreatment. I already told the father of the minor not to take it negatively because we don’t want anything bad to happen to the minors,” he claimed.
LZB
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