PALO, Leyte — Youth offenders admitted to the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) have reportedly been escaping from the facility at night, raising concerns among residents living nearby.

The facility, operated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office, serves as a rehabilitation center for children in conflict with the law. Among its current wards are the two minors allegedly involved in the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on 22 June.

Danilo Cinco, a village councilor of Barangay Sto. Niño in Tanauan, Leyte, said the wards are often seen leaving the facility by jumping over a fence at the rear of the compound, usually starting around 6 p.m., and returning the following morning.

“We don’t know what they do when they are outside the facility. Something might happen to them, or they might do something unpleasant,” Cinco said.

Cinco added that there had been past incidents in which male youth offenders who were supposed to be undergoing rehabilitation became involved in theft, alarming members of the community.

He said the wards were able to escape by damaging the fence at the back of the facility. In one instance, he claimed personnel assigned to guard the center witnessed the children escaping, but the problem has yet to be fully addressed.

Cinco said the presence of the two youths allegedly involved in the school shooting has heightened concerns among residents, as they fear the minors could eventually be influenced to escape as well.