- City helps 51 individuals panhandling for Christmas alms
FIFTY-ONE individuals, including six minors, won’t have to risk their safety on the streets following the swift intervention of the city on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
The individuals, from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, and Kitaotao, Bukidnon, were seen caroling and asking for Christmas alms in Toril and Calinan.
Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security Press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Dec. 11, DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon said 43 of the individuals were Indigenous People (IPs) from Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
They were transported back to their community by the Bukidnon local government unit (LGU) on Tuesday afternoon.
“This was a collaborative effort between the Calinan Police Station and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO),” Tuazon said.
Earlier that day, around 8:30 a.m., police rescued six minors and two adults from the streets near Toril Public Market and Barangay Crossing Highway. The group, identified as Badjao, were seen asking for alms.
PSSg Maricel Bio, along with CSWDO personnel led by Roland Ian Madolara, conducted the rescue operation. The rescued individuals were placed under temporary custody at the CSWDO office for profiling.
“They engage in ‘mamasko’ because they believe they can make money in Davao City,” she said.
The rescued individuals have been turned over to their respective LGUs.
Tuazon urged the public not to give money to people begging on the streets as this puts them at risk of accidents. She also said the DCPO will meet with the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) to discuss the issue of IPs seeking alms in the city.
Photo courtesy of DCPO
