‘It’s everybody’s battle’
A seven-year-old street kid named Jay was loitering along with other streetkids at the Fuente Osmeña circle, expecting yet another humdrum Friday afternoon.
Thus it came as no small surprise for Jay when he saw hundreds of people converging at the Fuente circle where an improvised stage was set for the launching of the Movement Against Drugs (MAD).
A big smile creased Jay’s face as he and other streetkids were given T-shirts bearing the phrase “Papa Lab” on the back by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
“Apil diay mi ani (We’re part of this),” Jay said.
When asked whether he understood what the program was, he said he did. “So illegal drugs will be wiped out,” Jay said in Cebuano.
Jay said he never used drugs but some fellow street kids used solvent and even drugs before being adopted by the city police.
The Cebu City police particularly the Fuente police precinct care for streetkids through their feeding and lecture programs.
“The kids don’t use drugs lest they be reprimanded by the police,” Jay said.
Senior Insp. Michael Anthony, Fuente police precinct chief, invites street children to join him to jog for fun and they were provided slippers, clothes, and even shoes. Jay doesn’t go to school owing to his poverty.
He said if he was a student he may lead pupils in an anti-drugs rally.
Earlier, Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, promised to continue supporting the street children to curb illegal drug activities in the city.
The MAD rally was participated by several government agencies and other stakeholders./Correspondent Chito Aragon
