Four children locked inside their house for over 12 hours already were rescued past 9 p.m. on December 4, 2024 in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.

The four siblings were reported to have been padlocked by their mother inside the house since 8 a.m. on December 3, 2024. 

Policemen, barangay officials, and social workers headed by Buenafe Remocaldo, Focal Person on the Protection of Children of the Lapu-Lapu City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), rescued the children, ages six years old, four years old, and twins who are two years old.

It was learned that the children had not eaten since they were locked in the house. They were given food immediately.

As of this writing, the children are taken by the CSWDO into their custody at the Lapu-Lapu City Homecare Center for Children.

“Human sa pila ka minuto nga pangitag pamaagi para makasulod sa  balay diin napadlock ang mga bata, narescue gyud nato sila ug napakaon,” CSWDO said in a post.

The rescue was facilitated with the assistance of personnel from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 2 in Barangay Mactan; and Punta Engaño Councilman Mark Estardo with barangay focal person for the protection of children, Joan Pagobo. 

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan first called up Remocaldo regarding the alert. Remocaldo assessed the children's condition. 

According to the CSWDO, the mother will be facing charges, but will be required to explain first to the authorities why she padlocked her children inside their house.

In a report of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, the mother said she did not abandon her children. 

She said she went out to seek where to borrow money. 

She pointed out that the father of the children abandoned them, and that she used to work as a waitress. But because the children were left to her care, she stopped working. 

She added that she made sure she cooked rice for the children, and that drinking water is available before she left. 

When asked why she had to lock the children inside the house, the mother cried and admitted it was wrong to have done so. 

CSWDO officials are to further determine the mother's parenting capability.