Child abuse rap filed against barangay councilman

A CHILD abuse complaint was filed yesterday against a Mandaue City barangay councilman and his companion for bringing five minors inside a motel at the North Reclamation Area.

Police accompanied the minors and their parents and a social worker to the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday to file the complaint against barangay Cambaro councilman Renato “Jay-R” Yosores and a companion, Gio Jay Branzuela.

In their joint affidavit, PO3 Gilbert C. Dela Cruz, PO3 Ricardo P. Petiluna, PO2 Junry S. Garigade, and PO1 Jerry Gasgona said they responded to the request for assistance of one of the parents of the victims whom the councilman allegedly brought to the Moonlight Hotel.

The policemen said that they found the girl together with four others inside the comfort room. They had locked themselves up inside the comfort room after Yosores, allegedly tried to kiss two of the them.

The policemen said that the minors claimed that Yosores and his companion Branzuela left them after they locked themselves up in the comfort room.

The complaint was submitted yesterday to Mandaue City Prosecutor Rolito M. Sabino.

Yesterday, one of the parents of the children also asked help from the Mandaue City government fearing for the safety of their children because they described Yosores as an “influential” person.

Justice

He also asked for justice for their children.

“Gusto ko mangayo mi tabang pud sa Mandaue kay mahadlok ko para sa akong anak (I’m asking help from the Mandaue City government because I fear for the safety of my child),” he said adding that he wants her child to continue studying in a public school.

“Ang mga in-ana nga klase sa tao dapat jud maconvicto kay bacin naa pa siya ma bictima nga laing taw (Those kind of people should be convicted because they might victimize others),” said one parent of the victims.

Yosores earlier denied the accusations and said the complaint was politically-motivated.

One of the parents disputed the councilman’s claim saying they have no political interests as they live in barangays outside Cambaro.

Senior Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin, Mandaue City Police chief, said that they were looking into reports that Yosores was engaged in “suspicious” activities involving foreign nationals.

background check

Baldebrin, however, did not specify what it was since he ordered the personnel from the City Intelligence Branch to conduct a background check on Yosores and the other suspect later identified as Branzuela.

The motels in Mandaue were also adviced by Baldebrin to call police if someone insists on taking minors inside their premises.