PNP opens play haven for abused minors

Drawing dreams The children of Sitio San Roque paint a picture of hohpe despite facing eviction as a new development will built in the area. TOBY INTAL

In line with its continuing program for better public service, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that it has opened a child-friendly playroom inside Camp Crame to temporarily house minors who were sexually exploited.

In a statement, Police Col. Maria Sheila Portento, chief of the PNP-Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, said that the playroom provides a conducive environment and comfort to the victims of online sexual exploitation.

“The rescued victims that we process have no place to play and it adds to their stress and trauma,” said Portento. “We wanted to at least ease their burden by letting them play to forget — even for just a little while — their traumatic experience.”

Portento added that child-friendly room will make the children feel more relaxed and at home, adding that two Fine Arts students from the University of the Philippines painted the playroom for free.

Books, stuffed toys, dolls, toy cars were also donated.

The police’s Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), on the other hand, said the children are more able to speak up with this kind of environment and noted that the children may bring one toy with them before they head to the shelter.

WCPC data showed that 372 abused victims have been rescued from June 2015 to August, with 2019, 73 of whom are less than 6-years-old while 109 are 7 to 12-years-old.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is also set establish new centers and residential care facilities and improve the existing ones under its CRCF Infrastructure Project.

The DSWD said that at least 210 infrastructure projects in 71 DSWD centers and facilities, and four new centers will benefit from the P2.3-billion fund allocation and the new facilities feature centers for children with special needs and street children.

The project aims to give better care and welfare services to marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, groups and families through the construction, rehabilitation and improvement of the Department’s centers and residential care facilities.