Fuente kids run for their lives in city streets

[higanstolsdawen]

---

Saludo ko nimu chip, nagpamatuod lang jud ne nga dili tanang police mga bulay og.



CHRISTIAN, who used to beg for food, hit the streets again in Cebu City yesterday morning.

But the 12-year-old did not ask for barbecue from vendors in Larsian. He was with 12 other kids to jog with Chief Insp. Michael Bastes, the Fuente Police Station head.

“Nindot ni,” said Christian. “Pasingot ba (This is good exercise).”

Bastes and the kids jogged along B. Rodriguez St., turned left and entered the neighborhood of Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Sambag II.

They stopped at San Vicente Ferrer Church to pray before resuming their exercise. They crossed Osmeña Blvd. and went straight to the Ramos Public Market to have their breakfast.

Jogging, according to Bastes, has a positive effect on the children.

“Magpuyo na sila inig human ug makatug nag sayo (After this they sleep early),” Bastes said.

The children’s affair with jogging started last May 1 when Bastes joined a fun run.

He said when he reached a corner near the Fuente Police Station, the children joined him.

“Ila gyong kabubut-on nga moapil (It’s their decision to join),” Bastes, who was a sacristan of the Aglipayan Church in his teenage days, said.

That time the children ran in slippers. Yesterday, they were wearing shoes donated by a businessman last week.

Bastes said the children, some of whom were former rugby users, were forced to roam the streets because their parents neglected them.

Acting like a father, Bastes feeds them and teaches them proper hygiene.

The leftovers of his wife catering business are also given to them.

“Kon putong ka, maglabad gyod ang imong ulo,” he said. “Mga bulingit na sila sa una karon hinlo na (If you don’t have patience, these children will give you headache. Unlike before, they look clean now).”

Nurturing the children properly will keep them from going back to the streets, Bastes said.

The police chief plans to clean the police station’s stockroom and convert it into a sleeping pad for the children, who usually sleep on the police station’s cold floor at night.

He said his move gained support from Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe.

Rescuing the children without doing anything won’t change their lives, Bastes said. One day, he approached his priest friends and asked help from them.

“Ang pagluwas sa mga bata nag-serve na ka sa Ginoo (You are serving God by saving these children).”

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 22, 2011.

[angelRain]

4 thumbs up for this policeman.

[batang_bronse]

mao ni public servant kudos to you sir

[jaez]

maayo unta na successful imong plans ug mag padayon ka sa imong maayong buhat

[JezzyCalm]

WOWWWW! ani unta pirme bah..

[vipvip68]

Maypa ning police.... The catholic church should follow this example. Kudos!

[7DMM]

Maypa ning police.... The catholic church should follow this example. Kudos!

catholic church ra? how about kanang ubang denominations ug uban diha mga dili mo tuo ug ginoo nga sige pang bira sa catholic church? everybody should do something

[vipvip68]

catholic church ra? how about kanang ubang denominations ug uban diha mga dili mo tuo ug ginoo nga sige pang bira sa catholic church? everybody should do something

Everybody should follow this example then. Special mention lang ang catholic church because they issued an official statement that they will adopt unwanted children and even take care of their mothers. This is their opportunityto do just that...

Again, saludo kay chief!

[gracie7]

I salute you Chief!!

[*sludge*]

kung mang snatch ning mga bata-a lisud nani apson kay praktisado man ...hehehe bitaw..mau unta managhan pa ang mo kuyog ug dli ma undang ning ilang jogging