BEN TULFO CASTIGATED BRGY. CAPT. FOR FORCING A MINOR IN SWALLOWING ₱100-BILL & ₱1-COINS

Junar Corpuz, a father from Barangay. Mabuslo, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya sought assistance from the public service program of BITAG after his 16-year old son  was made to swallow a 100-peso bill and 5 pieces of 1-peso coin last September 29. 

“Sinabi ni kapitan sa aking anak na papalunukin siya ng pera kung hindi po niya lulunukin yung pera ay gigilitan daw po ang kanyang leeg. Kumuha po siya ng isang daang buo at limang tig-pi-piso at pinalunok niya sa aking anak” Corpuz told BITAG. 

Corpuz was interviewed by Mr. Ben Tulfo himself. 

According to Corpuz, his son, Alyas Gian, the 16-year old minor was reported to be involved in a stealing incident, after the minor allegedly broke into a small canteen store in their neighborhood. 

According to the father, Alyas Gian was invited by barangay officials to explain his side. 

Mr. Ben Tulfo asked Corpuz if the minor was accompanied by any adult relative in the barangay but Corpuz said that his son went alone. 

“Pag-dating sa barangay, nagusap po yung anak ko pati yung may-ari, pinapa-amin po yung anak ko. Nung hindi po nila mapa-amin tinawag po nila yung isang kagawad na pamangkin ko and then po umamin na yung anak ko na sila po yung pumasok”  Corpuz explained to Mr. Ben Tulfo. 

The father explained that his son was pressured by his set of friends. 

Mr. Ben Tuflo said that while there was an admission from the son of Corpuz, Alyas Gian still has rights as a 16-year old minor. 

“Nilabag ang karapatan ng bata, kahit na ang bata ay considered na ‘children in conflict with law’, kung totoo kaya lang hindi pa tayo nakakasiguro dito” Ben Tulfo explained. 

Corpuz shared that they particularly wanted to seek help from BITAG because  the barangay captain involved was influential. 

During the program, BITAG called Rolando Hernandez, the barangay captain involved in this case. 

Brgy. Capt. Hernandez admitted to BITAG that he instructed the minor to swallow the money that he stole from the canteen. 

“Sa init ng ulo ko, dyan nga ako galit na galit kaya sa sobrang galit ko hindi ko natimpi yung galit ko, kung ano yung ninakaw yung ang kakainin” Hernandez told BITAG.

Ben Tulfo immediately asked the barangay chairman if there were any social workers present during the interview with the minor,  Hernandez said there were no social workers present. 

“So samakatuwid kayo lang at mga tanod ninyo tapos wala pang magulang nung umamin yung bata” Tulfo added. 

Showing no remorse, the chairman said that he feels that he did the right thing.  

“Tama ba ang ginawa ninyo?” Tulfo asked Hernandez. 

“Para sa akin po ay tama” swiftlfy answered. 

After this answer, Tulfo lambasted and castigated the reasoning of the barangay chairman.  

“Hindi ka alagad ng batas, hindi ka tagapagpatupad ng batas, wala sa’yo ang husgado, ikaw ay ama ng barangay, gamitin mo ang mga proseso na na ipinagkaloob sa’yo ng Saligang Batas”  Tulfo said. 

BITAG will assist the family of the minor in filing appropriate cases against the barangay chairman involved. 

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.