The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide all the necessary assistance to “Mak-mak,” the person on the autism spectrum who was ganged-up inside a public utility bus along Buendia Avenue in Makati, an agency official assured on Thursday (June 19).
“Nakatutok ang Central Office dito. Direktiba ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian na bantayan, i-proseso, at bigyan ng karampatang serbisyo [ang biktima],” Director Edwin Morata of the Protective Services Bureau-Crisis Intervention Unit (PSB-CIU) said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
According to the CIU chief, Mak-mak, accompanied by his family members, underwent psychological evaluation and assessment today at the Central Office to determine possible interventions and other long-term assistance, including the continuation of his therapy and livelihood for their family. They already received initial cash assistance from the agency’s Field Office-3 (Central Luzon).
“Maaaring pumasok as to the provision of assistance through AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) para sa therapy or kung kailangan ng gamot, we’ll be covering it,” Director Morata assured.
During the forum, Atty. Angelo De Alban, the victim’s legal counsel, also shared updates on their plan to file a case against the perpetrators for violating Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
“This is not just an ordinary case of physical injury. Ipapasok natin sya hangga’t maari sa child abuse [dahil may] intellectual disability ang victim,” Atty. De Alban said.
Under R.A. 7610, the term “children” includes minors as well as adults who “are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.”
The victim’s lawyer also informed the media that they are now consolidating evidence to file charges against three suspects, while two more are still being identified.
“Makikipag-coordinate po kami sa prosecutors, hindi po namin ito i-sesettle kasi hindi lang po iyong biktima ang involved dito, kundi lahat ng may disability,” Atty. De Alban said.
Mak-mak’s relative also shared during the forum that the victim is now afraid to ride buses because of the traumatic incident.
The DSWD Thursday Media Forum, which is held weekly at the New Press Center, is hosted by Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Communications Raymond Robert Burgos and Director Dianne Joie Ruiz of the Digital Media Service (DMS). It is live streamed over the DSWD Facebook page. #