Teens still in school uniform when rescued by police

The five high school students who were allegedly taken to the Moonlight Inn motel in Mandaue City by a barangay councilman were still in their school uniforms when they were rescued by police Tuesday night.

Criminal charges are set to be filed today by police against Councilman Jay-R Yosores of barangay Cambaro.

While he initially denied the charge in a phone interview, Yosores did not keep his word about showing up at the police station yesterday to clear his name.

Based on the account of the minors – four teenage girls and one boy – Yosores and a male friend “Gio” drove them to the motel and invited the minors to drink alcohol and play a game of “truth or dare”, according to Senior Insp. Mercy Villaro of the Mandaue City Police Office’s Women and Children’s Desk.

In the game, a bottle was spun on the floor. Whoever it pointed to had to choose whether to answer a question or comply with a challenge.

Yosores, however, allegedly decided that only “dares” would be carried out and that whenever the bottle pointed to a girl, he would kiss them on the lips.

Yosores first kissed the lone boy in the group on the cheek.

No adults were around when police went to the motel room Tuesday night and found the teenagers intoxicated and dizzy.

Parents of one girl had sought police assistance past 10 p.m. after the student texted them for help from the motel bathroom, where the four girls had locked themselves in.

Yosores, who is married and a newly elected barangay officials, denied the allegations as being “politically motivated” but didn’t say who was behind it.

Students said they earlier approached Yosores asking for financial support for their costumes for a dance presentation in their public high school and that the official invited them to dinner.

Yosores is an event manager and said he was preparring for a pageant in south Cebu.

Regular customers

Police said that based on the students’ account, the official’s companion Gio merely watched the game and stopped a girl from leaving when a room boy arrived with the food they ordered.

“Dili pa ta manguli (We’re not leaving yet),” Gio reportedly said.

Villaro said the teenagers underwent medical and psychological examination at the Pink Room of the Vicente Sotto Medical Center (VSMMC). Test results were being awaited yesterday to suppport the filing of criminal charges.

Police said the roomboys identified Yosores and his companion Gio as regular customers of the Moonlight Inn.

“The roomboys can prove there were minors who entered the room,” Villaro said.

Turned over

The teenagers were later turned over by police to their parents.

Charges of consented abduction in relation to Republic Act 7610 or Special Protection of Children against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination act will be filed at the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office today.

Assistance

Despite the incident, the teenagers went ahead and joined a dance activity in their public school at 1:30 pm. today.

City Administrator James Abadia said the City Social Welfare Office will assist the minors.

He said the motel should not have allowed minors to be brought inside the premises, a violation of a city ordinance. .

The CSWS and City Legal office headed by Giovanni Tianero will be directed to investigate Moonlight Inn for this.

“Even at their gate, there’s a sign that says ’no minors allowed.’ For now, we’ll be inspecting the hotels and motels to see if this policy is being enforced,” Abadia said.

He said administrative charges can also be filed against Yosores before the Ombudsman-Visayas and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).