23 minors in Manila bars near La Salle-Taft rounded up by authorities

Passers-by walked freely during a traffic-free holiday in front of De La Salle University on Taft Avenue. On Thursday night, authorities raided a strip of bars near DLSU main campus and its sister school, DLSU College of Saint Benilde. About 23 minors were held at the Manila Police District for charges of drinking alcohol and alleged drug-trafficking.  TOTEL V. DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—At least 23 minors have been rounded up when Manila authorities raided a strip of bars along Taft Avenue, few meters away from De La Salle University and College of Saint Benilde on Thursday night.

This was confirmed in a tweet by The La Sallian, the official publication of DLSU. It said the raid was aimed at searching for illegal substances and minors drinking alcohol in bars only few meters away from the school.

It said the minors have been detained at the Crimes Against Persons Investigation Section of the Manila Police District.

As of its latest update, the La Sallian said some minors have been fetched by their parents and guardians.

But it also clarified that majority of arrested minors are not students of DLSU nor CSB.

When the police started inspecting the area, The La Sallians said the minors were prevented from leaving as the MPD closed establishment doors for the inspection.

For MPD’s part, spokesperson Superintendent Marisa Bruno said in a radio report that police raided three bars near the university, The Barn, Beach and Plato Bar.

Recently, Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo wrote that illegal substances, including Valium and marijuana, have been sold by some CSB students in three establishments on Taft Avenue which he did not name immediately.

Tulfo said in his February 17 column that he learned of the ongoing illegal activities from his daughter, who allegedly purchased marijuana from one of the pushers near the school.

“The coffee shops are Beach, Barn and Plato where students buy drugs from fellow students and other pushers,” Tulfo said.

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