Cops rescue 16-year-old girl allegedly held over debt in Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY — After responding to an emergency 911 call, police officers rescued a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly prevented from leaving her companions because of an outstanding debt in Barangay Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte, on Sunday.

The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said personnel from the Palo Municipal Police Station and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) assisted the minor.

Initial police investigation showed that the girl traveled from Agusan del Sur to Leyte on Oct. 30 with two female companions in search of employment.

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READ: 2 held in Cebu for alleged online exploitation of 5-year-old girlShe reportedly misrepresented her age to qualify for work as an entertainer at a local establishment.

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However, when she later expressed her intention to return home, her companions allegedly prevented her from leaving, citing an outstanding debt.

Responding to the 911 emergency call, police personnel led by Maj. Gwen Alison Corregidor, acting chief of Palo police station, proceeded to the area and coordinated with the MSWDO to protect the minor and intervene.

The social welfare office also contacted the girl’s father through a video call and informed him of her situation.

Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-8 Director,  underscored the importance of the emergency hotline in ensuring immediate police response and coordination with other government agencies, particularly in cases involving children and other vulnerable individuals.

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“One of our primary responsibilities is to ensure that those who urgently need help, especially children and other vulnerable sectors of our communities, receive adequate protection and care,” Cardiño said.

He urged the public to remember that the 911 hotline is a lifeline for people in distress and to use it whenever emergency assistance is needed./coa