MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday took to social media to respond to the cry for help of a minor in Camarines Sur to end the supposed abuses of a village official.
An 11-year-old girl last March 30 posted a letter addressed to Marcos on the Facebook page of Redeemer Homeless Mission and sought his help to hold accountable an abusive “kagawad” or councilor.
She narrated how the son and aide of the village official allegedly raped and impregnated one of her friends in November 2022 and February 2023.
“As a child, I have watched this Kagawad threaten us, cut and steal our electrical wires so we have no electricity, and cut and steal the wires to our balon (well) so we have no water,” she wrote.
“Many of the families here stay in survival mode because government people make life very difficult,” she added.
She also shared her fear of not having a bright future because of the impunity of the elected officials who were supposed to serve and protect them.
“Question, Mr. President: How will we read if we are being raped? How will we read if our own government people cut our electrical wire so we have no lights?” she asked.
“We are kids, we are not involved in your political parties. I just want to go to school without being raped. So, can you please help us?” she added.
Marcos, who shared the letter that brought him close to tears and made him “very angry” in the comments, vowed to send help right away.
“I am sending policemen to you and your sisters to protect you and to find anyone who has hurt any of you. I will make sure that you will be able to continue reading and studying as much as you want,” the chief executive said.
“You are a very brave, intelligent and very kind girl and I will make sure to help you and your sisters in any way you need,” he added.
The Palace has yet to confirm or release details if Marcos’ order had already been carried out.
