1 week ago
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CEBU CITY — A reckless act by minors who hurled stones at vehicles on the Cebu South Coastal Road viaduct has led to round-the-clock monitoring of the South Road Properties (SRP) and the formation of a city task force to stop it from happening again.
Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia ordered the deployment of a multiagency team after viral videos showed the youths climbing up the viaduct using ropes, throwing rocks at cars, and then jumping into the sea to evade authorities.
"I hope this incident will not happen again. It poses a risk not only to the vehicles that go but also to the motorists," said Garcia during the city's flag raising ceremony on Monday.
The task force includes the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), SRP Management Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Department of Public Services, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu Port Authority, Bantay Dagat Commission, the Probe Team, City Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team, and barangay officials from Ermita, Pasil and Suba.
The DSWS has already identified the minors involved.
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Garcia said the parents will be summoned and made aware of the seriousness of their children's offense, stressing that parental cooperation is key in preventing future incidents.
Barangay public safety officers, or tanods, were tasked with blocking access from the sea, while the Philippine Coast Guard and Bantay Dagat Commission were assigned to apprehend individuals jumping off the viaduct.
CCTO chief Raquel Arce said her team removed the ropes tied to the side of the viaduct.
Two minors were found in the area last Friday. They were turned over to their respective barangay.
They denied throwing rocks, saying they were there only to swim, but Arce noted that their presence in the area is already a violation.
She warned that parents could face legal consequences for negligence and stressed that discipline should start at home.
Arce also urged motorists to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
A group chat among task force members will also be created to ensure a rapid response in case of similar incidents.
