Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 15, 2020 Moderators Posted August 15, 2020 Quote A refuge that became a children’s hell hole Posted 14/08/2020 A report dealing with what are described as terrifying stories of alleged abuse of children and adolescents allegedly abused at a shelter that was run by various foundations and subsidized by the state, where vulnerable children and adolescents are supposed to be protected, was a place of mistreatment, torture, and abuse. The report on Comprehensive Care Center, in Tocumen, was with the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents, and the Family (Senniaf) since the beginning of 2019 but , it took more than a year for a complaint to be filed with the Public Ministry in July 2020. Anomalies The last director of the hostel, Xenia Medina, told La Prensa that when they started running the site in April 2019, they presented a report of the first 45 days of management to the then director of Senniaf, Jazmín Cárdenas, in which s they detailed anomalies, such as the use of handcuffs to control children with disabilities, children sleeping on the floor because beds were broken, girls who with venereal diseases who left the center and roamed the streets whose absences went unreported, a punishment room called “the area” with no windows, beds or lights, where children were locked in, 60% of the children on expired psychiatric, drugs without a prescription that were, out of date medical records and inappropriately dressed teenage girls taken to an adult Christmas party by a private contractor providing “training services” Sara Rodríguez, director of the Senniaf, said she did not know the reasons why her predecessor did not file a complaint, but in her case she said they collected information and presented a complaint to the Public Ministry, which was expanded on Wednesday For reasons still unknown, Senniaf transferred the administration of the shelter to the Fundación Chilibre Panamá in April 2019 and it was renamed the Centro de Attention Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá. Xenia Medina was appointed.director. Medina told La Prensa that, in addition to the January 2020 report, in May 2019 they sent the first document to Jazmín Cárdenas the then director of Senniaf, after a management audit of the first 45 days at the shelter. Medina stressed that the Fundación Chilibre Panamá, which managed the place between April 2019 and July 2020, complied with delivering the reports of the anomalies to both the former director of the Senniaf and the current Secretary-General, Sara Rodríguez. "We made the previous and current Senniaf administration aware of the irregular situation, of what happened before we took over the administration in April 2019," she said.. There was also a "leak history" of adolescents, especially women, not reported to Senniaf. A group of between 8 and 10 adolescents had a habit of leaving the home and wandering the streets. Former administrator Roberto Charles, who at his discretion did an "individual" search did not report the facts to the authorities. "Escaped adolescents returned with vaginal infections." According to the document "there was never a formal written agreement" between the Fundación Chilibre Panamá and Aguilar & Asociados, for adolescents at risk to go to professional practices at the firm, which is dedicated to the service of "collections and sales". The breaking point between the administrators of the shelter and the company came last December when four teenagers who were invited to Christmas party at night, without notifying the shelter. “It had not received a formal invitation to accompany them, from the Aguilar & Asociados company, nor had it received authorization from Senniaf for such an event; in addition, it was a party for adults, ”says the report. The teenagers with clothes that were not appropriate for their age and with which they showed their chest and legs too much. “We have to be aware that they are adolescents at social risk and victims of sexual abuse. We can't be exposing them, ”it says. : ". Farida Rincón, general manager of Grupo Aguilar & Asociado, has been feeding the heads of the four teenagers of false hope, by promising that she will fulfill their dreams." Sara Rodríguez, the current secretary of Senniaf, said she filed a complaint at the end of July with the Public Ministry, and now the case is in the Family Prosecutor's Office. On Wednesday they made an extension of the complaint, which included the incidents that occurred with Rincón. On August 3, the Public Ministry ordered Senniaf to take over the shelter and also decided that the foundation that administered it, Fundación Chilibre Panamá, should leave the place. Now, the State, through Senniaf and Mides, has to guarantee this vulnerable population what it could not get for a decade: security, well-being, and respect for their human rights. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/a-refuge-that-became-a-childrens-hell-hole Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 15, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 15, 2020 Quote OPINION Panama's dark “guardianship” scandal Posted 14/08/2020 French Philosopher Michel Foucault criticized disciplinary institutions for being mechanisms to impose order at the end of punishment, fear, and the supposed reward, to people who in asylums, orphanages, prisons, schools, and psychiatric hospitals, who are at the mercy of authority. The tragedy of the shelter in Tocumen evokes the dark passages denounced by Foucault. The State abandoned its obligation to protect the minors who are under its “guardianship”. It left them in perverse and depraved hands, without technical knowledge or auditing of what was happening behind closed doors. Girls and young adolescents suffered worse acts than those that caused their hospitalization, while children and adolescents with disabilities or other conditions were sedated and handcuffed. There are no words to describe the enormous damage caused to the soul and body of these minors by the neglect of the State. This cannot be another morbid scandal, that that bureaucracy, drowns in oblivion. What happened in this shelter forces us to review all the similar enclosures, and to reconsider once and for all that negligence and corruption are not tolerable. - LA PRENSA, Aug 14 https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-panamaampampamp039s-dark-guardianship-scandal-1 Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 16, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 16, 2020 Quote Endangered girls housed with addicted adults Posted 15/08/2020 While a Public Ministry investigation is underway into alleged abuse of children in a Tocumen shelter under the direction of the Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family (Senniaf) new revelations have surfaced about another hostel in Veraguas where some 10 girls and adolescents were sent to an adult shelter that housed women with drug and psychiatric problems did not have staff or conditions suited to children. The Amor de Damas Refuge is under the administration of the Only a Matter of Faith Foundation, led by Pastor Dorian Mena who said they had warned Senniaf that the place was no suitable for children. In May, a group of minors escaped from the shelter and told neighbors and National Police authorities that they fled due to alleged abuse. The anomalies regarding possible violation of the human rights of girls, boys and adolescents generated investigations at the judicial and administrative level, which are currently ongoing reports La Prensa. Mena, told La Prensa that the National Secretariat for Children and Adolescents (Senniaf) took the minors to the place. "The Senniaf, during this pandemic, had nowhere to keep them and approached our office in Veraguas and temporarily brought them, while they were located in other places," he said. According to the pastor, they were girls at social risk. He acknowledged that several of the adolescents escaped and that some were in the hands of the National Police. Regarding the bruises and scratches that some of the minors allegedly presented, he indicated that it was the result of fights between themselves. "We are not in the habit of mistreating," said Mena, who is aware that the Public Ministry is conducting an investigation into the events. Asked why they accepted if they were aware that their facilities were not suitable he said: “They [Senniaf] knew that the center was not suitable for that and even so they decided to leave them [to the minors]. After this, we do not house any more minors.”, Idania Fernández, from the Senniaf technical secretariat, said that in the face of Covid-19, they have had to "find spaces" for the care of children and adolescents, since many shelters are closed. The National Police finally removed the girls and adolescents from the shelter on May 18 https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/endangered-girls-housed-with-addicted-adults Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 18, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 18, 2020 Quote NGOs condemn children’s rights abuse in shelters Jennie Barb Posted 16/08/2020 Three leading Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)have condemned alleged violations of the human rights of children and adolescents in shelters in Tocumen, Panama, and Santiago, Veraguas, revealed this week. The United Foundation for Children, the Panama Network for Children and Adolescents and the Panamanian Association for Family Planning (Aplafa) say that the State is not fulfilling its role as an inspector or guaranteeing that the protocols for the care of this vulnerable population are met, According to Jennie Barb, president of the United for Children Foundation, the state turned its back on children. In 2012, Barb drew up a protocol for care in shelters that, she says, is not being followed. Roderick Chaverri, vice president of the Children's Network, believes that the rules regulating shelters should be revised This year, the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents, and the Family (Senniaf) closed three shelters for irregularities, out of a total of 55 that serve children and adolescents at social risk and who are under its supervision. During the week, alleged apparent physical and emotional abuse of minors. were revealed at the Amor de Damas shelter, in Veraguas, and at the Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá, in Tocumen. The three NGOs say that the State, through the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) and the Senniaf, must reform the regulations that govern the shelters and comply with the protocols established for the care of minors who are there. Jennie Barb, of the United for Children Foundation, said that in 2012 a protocol for care for children in shelters was drawn up, at the request of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), and was provided to the Senniaf. The document is a roadmap on how to treat children and adolescents in the reception sites, as Panama is a subscriber to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As part of her fieldwork, Barb visited 11 shelters and found failures in several. "For example, there was a caregiver for 56 children, two children slept in the same bed and some did not have good nutrition," she said. Barb said that there was training in the use of the protocol so that the care of infants was standardized - even the cook and the drivers of the shelter had to take courses on children's rights. "The protocol also implied supervision and randomly supplying forms to children so that they could make known what the treatment was like within the site," said the activist, who said she was disappointed by the current reality and invited Senniaf to "dust off" the protocol. Roderick Chaverri, said that there are shared responsibilities on the issue because the governing body for children is Mides and the coordinating body for the execution of policies is Senniaf. "In the case of Mides, in addition to providing annual subsidies to shelters, it also approves public policies on childhood, while Senniaf makes sure that these policies are made effective," he explained. Chaverri considered that it is necessary to update Decree 26 of April 21, 2009, which regulates shelters. Specifically, he suggested rating the degree of compliance, in order to determine if the shelter can continue to operate. Rossana Uribe, president of Aplafa, said that the changes should be aimed at increasing the presence of suitable Senniaf personnel in the shelters. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/ngos-condemn-childrens-rights-abuse-in-shelters Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 19, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 19, 2020 Quote Child rape investigators seeking links to earlier cult murders Susects at the time of their arrest Posted 18/08/2020 Two men and a woman allegedly linked to a religious cult appeared before guarantees judge, Ana González, on Tuesday August 18 for the alleged kidnapping of six minors in the community of Guayabal, in the Ngäbe Buglé region. Those involved were given a tele-hearing to formulate charges One of the men felt unwell and was taken for treatment by the 911 emergency system. The Public Ministry is represented by the representative of the Ngäbe Buglé region, Azael Tugrí. On August 15, Security Minister, Juan Pino, confirmed that six minors who were being held by members of an alleged religious sect in the community were rescued. A seventh person had escaped and raised the alarm The presumed leader of the sect managed to escape and preliminary data indicates that he took two minors with him. Investigators are attempting to establish whether the members of this sect are related to the events that occurred in January in the community of El Terrón, where seven people were murdered. Judge González charged the three with carnal rape and child abuse and imposed a precautionary measure of six months in prison for the three involved, while the investigations are expanded. The First Superior Prosecutor of Chiriquí, Luis Martínez, considers that the child abuse charges are given because according to the first investigations, two of the three rescued minors were physically abused "with all kinds of aggression, they were tied up and hanged, that is confirmed by Forensic Medicine. He also said that they were raped, a situation that was exposed by the minors, and confirmed by the forensic medical examinations. mong the recovered minors there is an infant of 3 to 4 months of age, who, like the others was placed in a shelter for protection. They are also treated by psychologists and specialists. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/child-rape-investigators-seeking-links-to-earlier-cult-murders-1 Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 19, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 19, 2020 Quote Menores revelan ‘acoso’ en albergue de adultos al que fueron llevados por Senniaf La Secretaría de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia envió a unos 11 niños, niñas y adolescentes al Hogar Vida Libre en el área de Las Garzas donde se rehabilita a adultos con adicción a las drogas. Ohigginis Arcia Jaramillo 18 ago 2020 - 10:43 PM El Hogar Vida Libre, en el corregimiento de Las Garzas, donde se rehabilita a adultos con adicción a las drogas. Roberto Cisneros La Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Senniaf) envió a unos 13 niños, niñas y adolescentes en riesgo al Refugio Vida Libre en Las Garzas, pese a que era un sitio para rehabilitar adultos con adicción a las drogas. A mediados de junio, dos de los adolescentes contaron a los trabajadores sociales que un adulto del centro los “acosaba” y “tocaba”. El responsable del refugio, Javier Walford, reconoció los incidentes, aunque adujo que la situación fue “controlada”; y aclaró que recibió a los menores por petición de la Senniaf, ya que sus instalaciones no son aptas para menores vulnerables. Se consultó a la Senniaf sobre este caso y no hizo comentarios, aunque sí dijo que trabaja en construir centros especializados para la atención de adolescentes que requieren tratamientos de salud mental. En un comunicado, el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social señaló que se han interpuesto las denuncias ante el Ministerio Público por los “hallazgos identificados” en algunos albergues; y que se tomarán las acciones legales y administrativas contra los funcionarios que resulten responsables. El drama de dos menores de edad en un refugio de adultos A ambos sus familias les dieron la espalda y pareciera que el Estado ha hecho lo mismo. Uno tiene 15 años y el otro 17; al más joven le llamaremos Felipe y al otro Juan Carlos, para salvaguardar sus identidades. Felipe fue dado en adopción cuando era un bebé y luego estuvo de albergue en albergue. Tiene un retardo mental que le impide desenvolverse con facilidad, y debe tomar medicamentos. Juan Carlos fue abusado sexualmente a los 5 años y a los 10 años, debido a la violencia que existia en su hogar, empezó a evadirse, al punto que terminó viviendo a la intemperie hasta que fue ingresado en un albergue. Debido a la pandemia por la Covid-19 los dos adolescentes se encontraron en el Hogar Vida Libre –ubicado en el corregimiento de Las Garzas– que dirige el pastor Javier Walford. Es un refugio para adultos con problemas de pandillerismo, drogas, alcohol, y para personas que viven en las calles. La Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Senniaf) envió a los jóvenes a este hogar estando al tanto de que no es un sitio apto para atender a menores en riesgo social. Así se lo hizo saber en un principio Walford y, recientemente, trabajadores sociales, a las autoridades de la Senniaf. Además de a Felipe y Juan Carlos, la Senniaf envió a otros 11 niños, niñas y adolescentes a este hogar. En estos momentos todos siguen allí, con excepción de Juan Carlos que fue enviado a otro sitio que no fue precisado. Un informe al que tuvo acceso La Prensa y que fue elaborado por trabajadores sociales de la Senniaf revela supuesto acoso sexual a estos dos menores, por parte de uno de los adultos que se rehabilita en el hogar. La historia El pasado 16 de junio, cuando uno de los trabajadores sociales de la Senniaf abordó a Juan Carlos para una evaluación de rutina, el joven le manifestó que en términos generales se encontraba muy bien en el Hogar Vida Libre y que le gustaba realizar su “tarea diaria asignada que es cocinar”. Sin embargo, el adolescente denunció que un adulto de nombre “Bolívar”, que también colaboraba en la cocina, lo quería estar “tocando o abrazando” y que inclusive le “insinuó de andar con él”, es decir, ser su pareja. Eso motivó que tuvieran una discusión durante la cual le habría dicho a “Bolívar” que él no era homosexual. Desde ese hecho, relató Juan Carlos que siente que el adulto “le acosa”, y donde está sentado quiere estar a su lado. “No es la primera vez que lo hace, anteriormente lo ha hecho, por lo que ha tenido conflicto con el señor”, detalla el informe. El menor de edad le hizo saber a la funcionaria de la Senniaf que “él está seguro de sí mismo y de su afinidad sexual”, y que de continuar el acoso, desea que lo “cambien de albergue”. De hecho, ya no está en Vida Libre. En el caso de Felipe, dijo sentirse muy bien en el Hogar Vida Libre, pero dada la información proporcionada por su compañero Juan Carlos, la trabajadora social le preguntó si un adulto del hogar lo estaba molestando o intentando tocar su cuerpo. Se lee en el informe que ante la pregunta el chico “bajó la mirada y la cabeza”. Debido a esa reacción le explicaron que si está pasando un incidente de acoso debe informar a su equipo técnico de adopción para ayudarlo. También le hicieron saber al joven que nadie le debe tocar su cuerpo, mucho menos algún adulto del hogar de rehabilitación Vida Libre. Dicho lo anterior, se le preguntó al adolescente si por casualidad el tal “Bolívar” no le estaba molestando. Sus palabras textuales fueron: “me tocó mi pene y mi glúteo”. Ante esta respuesta, los trabajadores sociales insistieron y le consultaron a Felipe si había puesto en conocimiento al encargado de la casa, o al pastor Walford, y expresó que no, porque quizás no le iban a creer. Tras conocer ambas historias el equipo técnico de adopción emitió una serie de observaciones. La primera fue solicitar a los dos adolescentes informar de cualquier incidente parecido, para poder brindar atención o ayuda con tiempo. También se pidió a los encargados del refugio tomar las medidas para que “ningún adulto se acerque a los menores de edad”. Una conclusión a la que se arribó es que Vida Libre no reúne el perfil para los niños, niñas y adolescentes con situaciones de abuso sexual, abandono o maltrato. “Si el Centro de Rehabilitación Vida Libre, tiene la visión de trabajar con los niños, niñas y adolescentes, el hogar debe habilitarse solamente para los niños y adolescentes, no estar mezclado con adultos”, advierte el informe. Se recomienda realizar supervisión a Vida Libre, y verificar si reúne lo señalado por el Protocolo para la prevención y atención de niños y adolescentes sin cuidado parental acogidos en albergues. Este protocolo dicta las reglas de cómo deben operar los albergues para la niñez. Justificación y silencio Se consultó a Javier Walford, administrador de Vida Libre, quien reconoció que hubo dos hechos con ambos adolescentes, pero que él no permite ese tipo de comportamiento dentro del sitio. “En un centro de rehabilitación puede darse cualquier cosa, pero como autoridad logramos controlar estos casos”, dijo el religioso y agregó que fueron los jóvenes los que provocaron a los adultos en el sitio. Según Walford, luego de que acontecieron estos hechos a Juan Carlos se lo llevaron los funcionarios de la Senniaf, mientras que Felipe sigue dentro de Vida Libre. Sobre cómo llegaron los adolescentes allí a pesar de que el refugio no es apto para atender esa población, argumentó que cuando empezó la pandemia se le acercaron funcionarios de la Senniaf. “En vista que ellos no tenían dónde ubicarlos nosotros accedimos, pero ellos no le dan seguimiento. Yo con ganas y gusto que se los lleven, pero no lo hacen”, sostuvo. Además, dijo que cualquier situación que ocurra con los menores de edad dentro de Vida Libre es la Senniaf la que tiene que salir al frente, ya que desde un principio les comunicaron que no recibían a menores. Se envió cuestionarios tanto a Sara Rodríguez, directora de la Senniaf, como a María Inés Castillo, titular del Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (Mides), para que dieran a conocer cómo están actuando frente a este caso y otros ocurridos en albergues de Panamá y Veraguas. Del Mides no hubo respuesta. La Senniaf respondió que Vida Alegre tiene espacios separados para adultos y menores. “Desde la Senniaf nos encontramos trabajando para construir una oferta de servicios y centros especializados que permita la atención de los y las adolescentes que requieren tratamientos de salud mental. Esta es una tarea que el país tiene pendiente desde hace muchos años”, comunicó la entidad que prefirió no referirse al caso de Felipe y Juan Carlos. Rodríguez fue citada hoy a la Asamblea Nacional por la Comisión de Gobierno y Justicia, para que responda por anomalías en albergues. El Decreto Ejecutivo 26 de 21 de abril de 2009 que regula el tema de los albergues establece en el artículo 5 que la Senniaf debe comunicar a las autoridades competentes las irregularidades que se detecten en el funcionamiento de los albergues. Igualmente los obliga a proporcionar a los albergues asesoría profesional en materia jurídica, psicológica y de trabajo social. De lo anterior está al tanto Javier Córdoba, coordinador de programas de Unicef, quien señaló que les preocupan “profundamente” las situaciones que vienen denunciándose sobre maltrato y abusos contra niños, niñas y adolescentes que se encuentran institucionalizados. A le vez hizo un llamado: “Confiamos en que las autoridades investigarán los hechos y actuarán con celeridad para restituir los derechos de los niños, niñas y adolescentes afectados”. Al final del día, el Mides emitió un comunicado en el que señaló que ante las investigaciones que adelantan las autoridades competentes por las situaciones ocurridas en algunos albergues quiere hacer del conocimiento de la ciudadanía que “reprocha todo acto que atente contra los derechos individuales y colectivos” de los menores, y que “en estos momentos se está haciendo la revisión de la normativa que regula los Albergues y Casas Hogares en todo el país” para “fortalecer la institucionalidad, tomar acciones” y “mejorar las capacidades de supervisión”. Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article. Quote Minors reveal ‘harassment’ in the adult shelter to which they were taken by Senniaf The Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family sent some 11 children and adolescents to the Hogar Vida Libre in the Las Garzas area where adults with drug addiction are rehabilitated. Ohigginis Arcia Jaramillo 18 Aug 2020 - 10:43 PM <<EFZCEHIIKBGSBNCGS5ZONBUYVE.jpg>> The Hogar Vida Libre, in the village of Las Garzas, where adults with drug addiction are rehabilitated. Roberto Cisneros The National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family (Senniaf) sent some 13 children and adolescents at risk to the Vida Libre Refuge in Las Garzas, despite the fact that it was a place to rehabilitate adults with drug addiction. In mid-June, two of the teenagers told social workers that an adult at the center “harassed” and “touched” them. The head of the shelter, Javier Walford, acknowledged the incidents, although he argued that the situation was "controlled"; and he clarified that he received the minors at the request of the Senniaf, since its facilities are not suitable for vulnerable minors. Senniaf was consulted about this case and did not comment, although it did say that it is working on building specialized centers for the care of adolescents who require mental health treatment. In a statement, the Ministry of Social Development indicated that complaints have been filed with the Public Ministry for the "findings identified" in some shelters; and that legal and administrative actions will be taken against the officials who are responsible. The drama of two minors in an adult shelter Their families turned their backs on both, and it seems that the State has done the same. One is 15 years old and the other 17; We will call the youngest Felipe and the other Juan Carlos, to safeguard their identities. Felipe was given up for adoption when he was a baby and then went from shelter to shelter. He has a mental retardation that makes it difficult for him to function, and he must take medication. Juan Carlos was sexually abused at age 5 and at age 10, due to the violence that existed in his home, he began to run away, to the point that he ended up living in the open until he was admitted to a shelter. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the two adolescents met at the Vida Libre Home - located in the village of Las Garzas - directed by Pastor Javier Walford. It is a haven for adults with gang problems, drugs, alcohol, and for people who live on the streets. The National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family (Senniaf) sent the young people to this home being aware that it is not a suitable place to care for minors at social risk. This was first made known by Walford and, recently, by social workers, to the Senniaf authorities. In addition to Felipe and Juan Carlos, the Senniaf sent 11 other children and adolescents to this home. At the moment everyone is still there, with the exception of Juan Carlos who was sent to another site that was not specified. A report that La Prensa had access to and that was prepared by Senniaf social workers reveals alleged sexual harassment of these two minors, by one of the adults who is rehabilitating at home. The history On June 16, when one of the Senniaf social workers approached Juan Carlos for a routine evaluation, the young man told him that in general terms he was very well at the Hogar Vida Libre and that he liked to do his “homework assigned daily that is to cook ”. However, the adolescent denounced that an adult named “Bolívar”, who also collaborated in the kitchen, wanted him to be “touching or hugging” and that he even “suggested to him to walk with him”, that is, to be his partner. This led to a discussion during which he told "Bolívar" that he was not homosexual. From that fact, Juan Carlos said that he feels that the adult “harasses him”, and where he is sitting he wants to be by his side. "It is not the first time he has done it, he has done it previously, so he has had a conflict with the man," the report details. The minor told the Senniaf official that "he is sure of himself and his sexual affinity", and that if the harassment continues, he wants to be "changed from shelter". In fact, he is no longer in Vida Libre. In Felipe's case, he said he felt very good at Hogar Vida Libre, but given the information provided by his partner Juan Carlos, the social worker asked him if an adult in the household was bothering him or trying to touch his body. It is read in the report that when asked the boy "lowered her eyes and head." Due to this reaction, they explained to him that if there is an incident of bullying, he should inform his technical adoption team to help him. They also let the young man know that no one should touch his body, much less an adult from the Vida Libre rehabilitation home. That said, the adolescent was asked if, by chance, this "Bolivar" was not bothering him. His verbatim words were: "he touched my penis and my buttocks." Faced with this response, the social workers insisted and asked Felipe if he had informed the manager of the house, or Pastor Walford, and he said no, because perhaps they were not going to believe him. After learning about both stories, the technical adoption team issued a series of observations. The first was to ask the two adolescents to report any similar incident, in order to provide care or help in time. The shelter managers were also asked to take measures so that “no adult approaches minors”. One conclusion reached is that Vida Libre does not meet the profile for children and adolescents with situations of sexual abuse, abandonment or mistreatment. "If the Centro de Rehabilitación Vida Libre has the vision of working with children and adolescents, the home should be enabled only for children and adolescents, not be mixed with adults," warns the report. It is recommended to supervise Vida Libre, and verify if it meets the provisions of the Protocol for the prevention and care of children and adolescents without parental care in shelters. This protocol dictates the rules for how children's shelters must operate. Justification and silence Javier Walford, Vida Libre administrator, was consulted, who acknowledged that there were two incidents with both adolescents, but that he does not allow this type of behavior on the site. "In a rehabilitation center, anything can happen, but as an authority we manage to control these cases," said the priest, adding that it was the young people who provoked the adults on the site. According to Walford, after these events took place, Juan Carlos was taken away by Senniaf officials, while Felipe is still in Vida Libre. On how the adolescents got there despite the fact that the shelter is not suitable to serve that population, he argued that when the pandemic began, he was approached by Senniaf officials. “Since they had no place to locate them, we agreed, but they don't follow up. I am eager and glad that they take them, but they don't, ”he said. In addition, he said that any situation that occurs with minors within Vida Libre is the Senniaf that has to go to the front, since from the beginning they were told that they were not receiving minors. Questionnaires were sent to both Sara Rodríguez, director of Senniaf, and María Inés Castillo, head of the Ministry of Social Development (Mides), to make them aware of how they are acting in this case and others that occurred in shelters in Panama and Veraguas . Del Mides did not respond. Senniaf responded that Vida Alegre has separate spaces for adults and minors. “From Senniaf we are working to build a range of specialized services and centers that allow the care of adolescents who require mental health treatment. This is a task that the country has pending for many years, "said the entity that preferred not to refer to the case of Felipe and Juan Carlos. Rodríguez was summoned today to the National Assembly by the Government and Justice Commission, to answer for anomalies in shelters. Executive Decree 26 of April 21, 2009, which regulates the issue of shelters, establishes in article 5 that Senniaf must notify the competent authorities of any irregularities that are detected in the operation of shelters. It also obliges them to provide the shelters with professional advice on legal, psychological and social work matters. Javier Córdoba, Unicef program coordinator, is aware of the above, who pointed out that they are "deeply" concerned about the situations that have been reported regarding mistreatment and abuse against children and adolescents who are institutionalized. At the same time he made a call: "We trust that the authorities will investigate the facts and act quickly to restore the rights of the affected children and adolescents." At the end of the day, the Mides issued a statement in which it pointed out that in view of the investigations carried out by the competent authorities for the situations that occurred in some shelters, it wants to make the public aware that it “reproaches any act that violates individual and collective rights "Of the minors, and that" at the moment the regulations that regulate Hostels and Homes are being reviewed throughout the country "to" strengthen the institutionality, take actions "and" improve supervision capacities. " https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/menores-revelan-acoso-en-albergue-de-adultos-al-que-fueron-llevados-por-senniaf/ Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 20, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 20, 2020 Quote Unos 14 niños, víctimas en albergue de Tocumen Ohigginis Arcia Jaramillo 19 ago 2020 - 11:48 PM La directora de la Senniaf, Sara Rodríguez, respondió un cuestionario ante diputados de la Comisión de Gobierno y Justicia de la Asamblea Nacional. Pastor Morales Lo confirmaron ayer las autoridades de la Secretaría de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Senniaf): “14 de los 54 menores de edad que estaban en el Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá, en Tocumen, fueron identificados en la investigación como afectados”. La información fue dada a conocer por Sara Rodríguez, directora de la Senniaf, quien acudió ayer a la Comisión de Gobierno, Justicia y Asuntos Constitucionales de la Asamblea Nacional, a responder un cuestionario sobre anomalías en albergues que reciben a menores. Un informe elaborado por funcionarios de esa entidad revela los hallazgos: niños con discapacidad esposados, niñas con enfermedades venéreas y personajes que manejaban de forma muy discrecional el centro para menores en Tocumen. Rodríguez también se refirió a irregularidades con niñas y adolescentes enviadas por la Senniaf al refugio Amor de Damas, en Veraguas, que denunciaron supuesto maltrato y abuso sexual: “Hay una investigación en el Ministerio Público”. La funcionaria pidió apoyo a los diputados en materia de presupuesto, para custodiar a la niñez del país. Senniaf solicita ayuda y revela maltrato a niños La Comisión de Gobierno, Justicia y Asuntos Constitucionales de la Asamblea Nacional fue el escenario en el que la directora de la Secretaría de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Senniaf), Sara Rodríguez, hizo catarsis ayer: solicitó ayuda presupuestaria para la atención de la niñez del país y reconoció que menores de edad fueron víctimas en algunos albergues . Rodríguez fue citada por los diputados de esta comisión luego de que en los últimos días se dieran a conocer una serie de hechos relacionados con casos de presunto maltrato y abuso sexual en los albergues Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá, en Tocumen, y el Refugio Vida Libre, en Las Garzas, ambos en la provincia de Panamá, así como en el Refugio Amor de Damas, en Veraguas. Todos acogieron a niños, niñas y adolescentes. La directora de Senniaf comenzó refiriéndose al Centro Integral de Tocumen, hasta abril de 2019 llamado Metro Amigo. Precisó a los diputados de la comisión que desde el 19 de agosto de 2019 fueron notificados sobre las aparentes irregularidades y que eso condujo a la apertura de un proceso administrativo en la Senniaf de inmediato. Agregó que, posteriormente, en julio de 2020, se presentó una denuncia penal en el Ministerio Público. La funcionaria reveló que “14 de los 54 menores de edad que estaban en el Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá, en Tocumen, fueron identificados en la investigación como afectados”. Tras conocer estos planteamientos, el diputado independiente Juan Diego Vásquez cuestionó a la directora de la Senniaf sobre por qué esperó 11 meses para presentar una denuncia; a lo que esta le respondió que primero debían efectuar una investigación bien sustentada en la parte administrativa. Actualmente, el Centro Integral Chilibre Panamá está bajo la administración de la Senniaf, luego de que informes elaborados por sus funcionarios dieran cuenta de que niños con discapacidad fueron esposados, que había niñas con enfermedades venéreas, y que había un manejo muy discrecional el centro. Veraguas Otra de las diputadas que interrogó a Rodríguez fue Fátima Agrazal, de Cambio Democrático en Veraguas. “Directora me gustaría saber qué sucedió con nueve niñas que fueron enviadas al refugio Amor de Damas, donde habían adultos con problemas psiquiátricos. Si eso fue así quiero decirle que eso es inadmisible”, cuestionó Agrazal. La directora de la Senniaf respondió que ella nunca ha estado allí, pero que ese hecho está siendo investigado por el Ministerio Público y hay un expediente administrativo contra los funcionarios de la Senniaf que estuvieron involucrados con enviar a las niñas y adolescentes desde Panamá a Veraguas. “También es importante señalar que esto se dio con la intervención de diferentes instancias, como el Órgano Judicial. Es importante entender que el sistema de protección de niñez tiene competencias compartidas entre la parte judicial y la administrativa”, remarcó. A su vez, calificó lo ocurrido como “inaceptable” y consideró que se deben tomar medidas drásticas en el tema. La Prensa dio a conocer que al refugio Amor de Damas llegaron nueve niñas —las cuales fueron enviadas por la Senniaf— que antes de llegar allí estaban en albergues de la provincia de Panamá. En mayo pasado las menores de edad denunciaron a los vecinos de la comunidad y a la Policía Nacional supuestos maltratos. Bajo presupuesto Durante su comparecencia, Rodríguez apeló a los diputados, para que le ayuden a mejorar el presupuesto de la entidad y así poder contratar más personal. Dijo que la asignación actual es muy baja para atender a la población infantil más vulnerable del país. En ese contexto manifestó que, por ejemplo, su entidad sólo cuenta con 61 trabajadoras sociales para atender 54 albergues con niños y adolescentes, lo que hace el trabajo difícil. En 2019 Senniaf recibió poco más de $6 millones de presupuesto y más del 90% se fue en funcionamiento. Para inversión son $400 mil. Finalmente, la funcionaria expresó que han identificado otras necesidades, entre ellas la de entrenar al personal técnico que está dentro de los albergues. “Es una necesidad contar con más presupuesto”, concluyó. Para Jennie Barb, presidenta y fundadora de la Fundación Unidos por la Niñez, es muy “lamentable” y “preocupante” lo que está sucediendo con nuestros niños. “No únicamente con los niños en albergues, sino los de las comarcas, los que no tienen acceso a la educación virtual, los confinados con sus agresores y todos aquellos que ejemplifican la inequidad de la sociedad en que vivimos”, afirmó. De acuerdo con la activista, es necesario hacer enormes esfuerzos para cambiar estas realidades que han golpeado y destruido el presente y el futuro de la niñez panameña desde hace décadas. “Ubicar adolescentes en albergues para rehabilitar adultos con adicciones demuestra desconocimiento y carencia de recursos para atender a esta población”, resaltó la también psicóloga. El Ministerio de Desarrollo Social —a través de un comunicado— informó que en estos momentos se está haciendo la revisión de la normativa que regula los albergues y casas hogares en todo el país, con el objetivo de fortalecer la institucionalidad, tomar acciones y brindar un seguimiento directo para mejorar las capacidades de supervisión. “Debido a los hallazgos identificados, el Mides como ente responsable, junto a la Senniaf, han interpuesto las denuncias correspondientes ante el Ministerio Público, en cumplimiento con el deber legal de ambas instituciones de salvaguardar el interés superior de los niños, niñas y adolescentes”, apuntó la institución. Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article. Quote About 14 children, victims in a Tocumen shelter Ohigginis Arcia Jaramillo 19 Aug 2020 - 11:48 PM <<A22BR4CNWFG7ZHSHL7LUGSIWZA.jpg>> The director of Senniaf, Sara Rodríguez, answered a questionnaire before deputies of the Government and Justice Commission of the National Assembly. Pastor Morales It was confirmed yesterday by the authorities of the Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf): "14 of the 54 minors who were in the Integral Center Fundación Chilibre Panama, in Tocumen, were identified in the investigation as affected." The information was released by Sara Rodríguez, director of the Senniaf, who went yesterday to the Government, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Commission of the National Assembly, to answer a questionnaire on anomalies in shelters that receive minors. A report prepared by officials of that entity reveals the findings: handcuffed children with disabilities, girls with venereal diseases and characters who managed the center for minors in Tocumen in a very discretionary manner. Rodríguez also referred to irregularities with girls and adolescents sent by Senniaf to the Amor de Damas shelter in Veraguas, who denounced alleged mistreatment and sexual abuse: "There is an investigation in the Public Ministry." The civil servant asked for support to the deputies in the matter of budget, to protect the children of the country. Senniaf asks for help and reveals child abuse The Government, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Commission of the National Assembly was the scene in which the director of the Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family (Senniaf), Sara Rodríguez, made catharsis yesterday: she requested budgetary aid for the care of children of the country and recognized that minors were victims in some shelters. Rodríguez was summoned by the deputies of this commission after a series of events related to cases of alleged maltreatment and sexual abuse were revealed in recent days at the Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá shelters, in Tocumen, and the Vida Libre Refuge , in Las Garzas, both in the province of Panama, as well as in the Amor de Damas Refuge, in Veraguas. All welcomed children and adolescents. The director of Senniaf began by referring to the Tocumen Integral Center, until April 2019 called Metro Amigo. She specified to the deputies of the commission that since August 19, 2019, they were notified about the apparent irregularities and that this led to the opening of an administrative process in the Senniaf immediately. She added that, subsequently, in July 2020, a criminal complaint was filed with the Public Ministry. The official revealed that "14 of the 54 minors who were in the Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá, in Tocumen, were identified in the investigation as affected." After learning about these proposals, the independent deputy Juan Diego Vásquez questioned the director of the Senniaf about why he waited 11 months to file a complaint; To which she replied that they should first carry out a well-supported investigation in the administrative part. Currently, the Centro Integral Chilibre Panama is under the administration of Senniaf, after reports prepared by its officials revealed that children with disabilities were handcuffed, that there were girls with venereal diseases, and that the center was managed very discretely. Veraguas Another of the deputies who questioned Rodríguez was Fátima Agrazal, from Cambio Democrático in Veraguas. “Director, I would like to know what happened to nine girls who were sent to the Amor de Damas shelter, where there were adults with psychiatric problems. If that was the case, I want to tell you that this is inadmissible ”, questioned Agrazal. The Senniaf director replied that she has never been there, but that this fact is being investigated by the Public Ministry and there is an administrative file against the Senniaf officials who were involved with sending the girls and adolescents from Panama to Veraguas. “It is also important to point out that this occurred with the intervention of different instances, such as the Judicial Branch. It is important to understand that the child protection system has shared competences between the judicial and the administrative part ”, she remarked. In turn, she described what happened as "unacceptable" and considered that drastic measures should be taken on the matter. La Prensa announced that nine girls arrived at the Amor de Damas shelter —who were sent by Senniaf— who, before arriving there, were in shelters in the province of Panama. Last May, the minors reported alleged abuse to the residents of the community and to the National Police. Low budget During his appearance, Rodríguez appealed to the deputies to help him improve the entity's budget and thus be able to hire more personnel. He said that the current allocation is too low to serve the most vulnerable child population in the country. In this context, he stated that, for example, his entity only has 61 social workers to attend 54 shelters with children and adolescents, which makes the job difficult. In 2019 Senniaf received just over $ 6 million of budget and more than 90% went into operation. For investment it is $ 400 thousand. Finally, the official said that they have identified other needs, including training the technical personnel who are inside the shelters. "It is a necessity to have a more budget," she concluded. For Jennie Barb, president and founder of the United for Children Foundation, it is very “regrettable” and “worrying” what is happening with our children. "Not only with children in shelters, but those in the regions, those who do not have access to virtual education, those confined with their aggressors and all those who exemplify the inequity of the society in which we live," she said. According to the activist, it is necessary to make enormous efforts to change these realities that have hit and destroyed the present and the future of Panamanian children for decades. "Placing adolescents in shelters to rehabilitate adults with addictions shows ignorance and lack of resources to care for this population," the psychologist also highlighted. The Ministry of Social Development -through a statement- reported that at the moment the regulations that regulate shelters and homes are being reviewed throughout the country, with the aim of strengthening the institutionality, taking actions and providing a direct monitoring to improve supervisory capabilities. "Due to the findings identified, Mides as the responsible entity, together with Senniaf, have filed the corresponding complaints with the Public Ministry, in compliance with the legal duty of both institutions to safeguard the best interests of children and adolescents" , said the institution. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/unos-14-ninos-victimas-en-albergue-de-tocumen/ Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted August 23, 2020 Author Moderators Posted August 23, 2020 Quote ‘Las anomalías en albergues para niños no deben quedar impunes’ Ohigginis Arcia Jaramillo 23 ago 2020 - 12:00 AM El Refugio Vida Libre, en Las Garzas, en la provincia de Panamá, es uno de los albergues denunciados. Archivo Las denuncias sobre supuesto maltrato y acoso sexual dentro de varios albergues para menores de edad serán investigadas por la Comisión de la Mujer, la Niñez, la Juventud y la Familia de la Asamblea Nacional. Para tal fin, esta semana dicha comisión creó una subcomisión que se encargará de citar a funcionarios relacionados con el tema de la niñez y adolescencia, así como realizar visitas a los albergues, y llevar a cabo entrevistas a los líderes de las fundaciones y oenegés que administran estos sitios. La subcomisión está integrada por la diputada suplente independiente Walkiria Chandler; Petita Ayarza, del Partido Revolucionario Democrático, y Yesenia Rodríguez, del Panameñista. Las tres parlamentarias se reunieron este viernes para establecer la metodología de trabajo que se ejecutará. Uno de los primeros pasos de este equipo de diputadas será elaborar un cuestionario, con la finalidad de presentarlo el próximo miércoles a la comisión legislativa y, posteriormente, citar a la directora de la Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Senniaf), Sara Rodríguez. La Senniaf es la entidad responsable de fiscalizar y supervisar los albergues del país que acogen a menores de edad. “Yo no puedo creer que las entidades que están llamadas a proteger a los niños estén siendo cómplices de supuesto maltrato y abusos. Incluso, tampoco tenemos a ningún responsable en un tema tan sensitivo como este”, se lamentó Chandler. Las declaraciones de la diputada se dan luego de que en los últimos días se conociera una serie de hechos relacionados con casos de presunto maltrato y abuso sexual en los albergues Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá, en Tocumen, y Refugio Vida Libre, en Las Garzas, ambos en la provincia de Panamá, así como en el Refugio Amor de Damas, en Veraguas. Todos acogieron a niños, niñas y adolescentes. La diputada suplente informó que el próximo 9 de septiembre deben entregar un informe a la Comisión de la Mujer, la Niñez, la Juventud y la Familia, sobre los hallazgos producto de citaciones, entrevistas y giras por los albergues. “A primera vista, parece que hubo una omisión por parte de la Senniaf en el cumplimiento de su función y alguien tiene que hacerse responsable, ya que el tema no se puede dejar caer en el olvido. Las anomalías en albergues para niños no deben quedar impunes”, destacó. Ojos en la Senniaf Esta sería la segunda vez que la directora de la Senniaf es citada por una comisión de la Asamblea Nacional. El pasado jueves estuvo en la Comisión de Gobierno y Justicia, donde fue llamada a dar explicaciones sobre lo que estaba aconteciendo dentro de los albergues para menores de edad. Además de dar explicaciones sobre lo ocurrido en los tres centros, la funcionaria solicitó a los diputados que le ayudaran a obtener un mejor presupuesto. Para Jennie Barb, presidenta de la Fundación Unidos por la Niñez, es “urgente” que se revisen las normativas de funcionamiento de los albergues, y que se especifique claramente la población que atenderán. “Esperemos que las autoridades realicen las rectificaciones pertinentes”, acotó. Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article. Quote ‘Anomalies in children's shelters must not go unpunished’ Ohigginis Arcia Jaramillo 23 Aug 2020 - 12:00 AM <<FKGIXFXBPBEXXP2R3JN57DGFAQ.jpg>> The Vida Libre Refuge, in Las Garzas, in the province of Panama, is one of the shelters reported. Archive Complaints about alleged abuse and sexual harassment within various shelters for minors will be investigated by the Commission for Women, Children, Youth and the Family of the National Assembly. For this purpose, this week said commission created a subcommittee that will be in charge of summoning officials related to the issue of childhood and adolescence, as well as making visits to shelters, and conducting interviews with the leaders of the foundations and NGOs that they manage these sites. The subcommittee is made up of the independent alternate deputy Walkiria Chandler; Petita Ayarza, from the Democratic Revolutionary Party, and Yesenia Rodríguez, from the Panameñista. The three parliamentarians met this Friday to establish the work methodology to be carried out. One of the first steps of this team of deputies will be to prepare a questionnaire, in order to present it next Wednesday to the legislative commission and, later, summon the director of the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf), Sara Rodriguez. Senniaf is the entity responsible for supervising and supervising the country's shelters that take in minors. “I cannot believe that the entities that are called upon to protect children are being complicit in alleged mistreatment and abuse. We don't even have anyone responsible for a sensitive issue like this, ”Chandler lamented. The deputy's statements come after a series of events related to cases of alleged maltreatment and sexual abuse in the Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá shelters, in Tocumen, and Refugio Vida Libre, in Las Garzas, became known. both in the province of Panama, as well as in the Amor de Damas Refuge, in Veraguas. All welcomed children and adolescents. The alternate deputy informed that on September 9 they must deliver a report to the Commission for Women, Children, Youth and the Family, on the findings resulting from summons, interviews and tours of the shelters. “At first glance, it seems that there was an omission on the part of the Senniaf in the fulfillment of its function and someone has to be held responsible, since the issue cannot be forgotten. Anomalies in children's shelters should not go unpunished, ”he stressed. Eyes on the Senniaf This would be the second time that the Senniaf director has been summoned by a commission of the National Assembly. Last Thursday she was at the Government and Justice Commission, where she was called to give explanations about what was happening inside the shelters for minors. In addition to giving explanations about what happened in the three centers, the official asked the deputies to help her obtain a better budget. For Jennie Barb, president of the United for Children Foundation, it is "urgent" that the operating regulations of the shelters be reviewed, and that the population they will serve is clearly specified. "Let's hope that the authorities make the pertinent corrections," he said. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/las-anomalias-en-albergues-para-ninos-no-deben-quedar-impunes/ Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 1, 2020 Author Moderators Posted September 1, 2020 Quote Search continues for alleged mass graves linked to religious cult Posted 31/08/2020 Panama’s National Air Naval Service (Senan) is searching for alleged mass graves and another suspect in for alleged torture and abuse linked to this a religious sect in the community of Llano Amador, village of Agua de Salud, in the Ngäbe Buglé region. Civil organizations have called for rigorous investigation into possible mistreatment in shelters and in region Senan reported indicated that it is collaborating with local authorities "to specify and identify other signs that allow the location or existence of alleged mass graves." The Senan sais that, despite the adverse weather conditions, the units continue permanent patrols, "to obtain the apprehension of the main person responsible" for the events recorded on August 15, the day on which an infant from three months and two children 10 and 14 years old were rescued. The search actions are carried out in different places in the region such as: Llano Amador, Guayabal, Guabalito, Alto Batata, Piedra Fogón and Agua Salud. A 17-year-old young man, along with other adults, is already detained for allegedly being part of the religious sect. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/search-continues-for-alleged-mass-graves-linked-to-religious-cult Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 10, 2020 Author Moderators Posted September 10, 2020 Quote Second Messiah cult eader suspect caught after 24-day hunt Parentsnsent their children to be educated by cult leader Posted 09/09/2020 After a 24 day search The alleged leader of a religious cult, accused of the deprivation of liberty of several minors in Llano Amador, in the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, has been captured by agents of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) and the National Police, says Public Security Minister Juan Pino. The arrest took place in the Río Totuma sector, Comarca Ngäbe Buglé, after land and flight patrols, carried out in coordination with the county authorities and the Public Ministry. The arrested man who calls himself "the second messiah" became a fugitive, after being accused of several acts committed against minors and of sowing fear in the indigenous community, in complicity with two other adults and a 17-year-old minor already in custody. According to the complainants, the suspect exercised control in the community to keep them isolated, prohibited men from working and children from going to school and being vaccinated, and some of them did not have birth records. After a 24 day search The alleged leader of a religious cult, accused of the deprivation of liberty of several minors in Llano Amador, in the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, has been captured by agents of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) and the National Police, says Public Security Minister Juan Pino. The arrest took place in the Río Totuma sector, Comarca Ngäbe Buglé, after land and flight patrols, carried out in coordination with the county authorities and the Public Ministry. The arrested man who calls himself "the second messiah" became a fugitive, after being accused of several acts committed against minors and of sowing fear in the indigenous community, in complicity with two other adults and a 17-year-old minor already in custody. According to the complainants, the suspect exercised control in the community to keep them isolated, prohibited men from working and children from going to school and being vaccinated, and some of them did not have birth records. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/second-messiah-cult-eader-suspect-caught-after-24-day-hunt Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 14, 2020 Author Moderators Posted September 14, 2020 Quote Ministerio Público investiga a 20 personas ligadas a sectas religiosas Olmedo Rodríguez 14 sep 2020 - 12:00 AM Una tercera secta fue denunciada en agosto pasado. Archivo. La existencia de tres supuestas sectas religiosas en la comarca Ngäbe Buglé mantiene bajo investigación a 20 personas por la presunta comisión de delitos que van desde homicidio, pasando por privación de libertad hasta abusos sexuales. El primer caso se dio en enero pasado en la comunidad de El Terrón, Santa Catalina, en el norte de Veraguas. Cerca de donde estaba ubicada la llamada “Iglesia de Dios” se halló una fosa común con siete cadáveres, seis menores de edad y una adulta en estado de embarazo. Por este caso, el Ministerio Público arrestó a ocho hombres y a una mujer bajo los cargos de homicidio, feminicidio y privación de libertad. In junio pasado se inició la investigación a otra agrupación religiosa, en el sector comarcal de Toncrick Arriba, también en Santa Catalina. Tras denuncias de residentes, las autoridades se trasladaron al sitio y fueron aprehendidos cuatro hombres y dos mujeres, señalados como responsables de atentar contra la vida y la libertad de vecinos del lugar a través de supuestos ritos religiosos. En agosto, la comunidad de el Llano Amador, distrito de Ñurum, se detectó a una tercera agrupación, cuyos miembros habrían incurrido en posibles delitos de abuso sexual y maltrato a menores de edad. Están detenidos dos hombres y una mujer, y dos adolescentes son investigados. Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article. Quote Public Ministry investigates 20 people linked to religious sects Olmedo Rodriguez Sep 14, 2020 - 12:00 AM <<cult.jpg>> A third sect was denounced last August. Archive. The existence of three alleged religious sects in the Ngäbe Buglé region keeps 20 people under investigation for the alleged commission of crimes ranging from homicide, through deprivation of liberty to sexual abuse. The first case occurred last January in the community of El Terrón, Santa Catalina, in the north of Veraguas. Near where the so-called “Church of God” was located, a mass grave was found with seven corpses, six minors and an adult in a state of pregnancy. In this case, the Public Ministry arrested eight men and one woman on charges of homicide, femicide, and deprivation of liberty. Last June the investigation of another religious group began, in the district of Toncrick Arriba, also in Santa Catalina. Following complaints from residents, the authorities moved to the site and four men and two women were apprehended, indicated as responsible for threatening the life and liberty of residents of the place through alleged religious rites. In August, the community of Llano Amador, Ñurum district, a third group was detected, whose members allegedly incurred in possible crimes of sexual abuse and mistreatment of minors. Two men and a woman are detained, and two teenagers are being investigated. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/ministerio-publico-investiga-a-20-personas-ligadas-a-sectas-religiosas/ Quote
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 19, 2020 Author Moderators Posted September 19, 2020 Quote “New Messiah” among three cult members facing homicide charges Investigators uncovered grave on Sunday Posted 18/09/2020 Three people linked to a religious cult will be charged with homicide following the discovery of a clandestine grave in the Ngäbe Buglé region. said The Public Ministry informed on Friday, September 18. Last Sunday, personnel from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences exhumed the bones of the grave, located in the Ñurum sector, in the north of the region. Sources from the Public Ministry said that the grave is related to the religious sect that operated in the Agua de Salud area, Ñurum district and whose alleged leaders are being detained. It was reported that in thie case of the sect two people who have already been charged with the alleged commission of the crimes of abuse and sexual crimes against minors. And recently a third person who calls himself The New Messiah linked to the events was arrested. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/new-messiah-among-three-cult-members-facing-homicide-charges Quote
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