MANILA - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to talk with Philippine music icon Freddie Aguilar, his 16-year-old girlfriend, as well as her parents in an effort to get a "better understanding of the situation."
DSWD Assistant Secretary Florita Villar, in an interview with ABS-CBN News' Marie Lozano on Monday, said the agency is taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the child.
"The DSWD's mandate is to protect the welfare of children. Sa country, sa batas natin, usually defines the child as one that is below 18 years old," said Villar. "The fact na itong karelasyon ni Ka Freddie ay 16, tinuturing natin siya na bata na kailangan pa rin ng tulong, ng intervention ng Social Welfare and Development."
Aguilar, who popularized the hit song "Anak," may be charged with child abuse or seduction for having a relationship with a minor under the Revised Penal Code.
"Nagkaroon na kami ng instruction sa aming regional director na nakakasakop nang Mindoro na makipagugnayan ang aming social worker sa pamilya, sa mga magulang at pamilya ng kabataang ito na girlfriend ni Ka Freddie," Villar said.
"Alam din namin na ang bata ay nandito sa Maynila, nag-instruct din ako sa aming NCR director namin na to reach out to the minor at saka kay Ka Freddie," she said.
Villar said that they want to know the reasons behind the consent given by the parents, as well as the child's reason for entering the now-controversial love affair.
"Ang malaking factor dito na hinahanap natin ay ano ba ang kalagayan ng bata? Ano ba ang kanyang plano? Bakit siya nandito sa Maynila? Ano ang mga balak niya sa relasyon nila ni Ka Freddie?" explained Villar.
"Hindi naman natin pinapaki-alaman ang karapatan sa pag-ibig kung hindi, gusto lang natin maproteksyonan na itong pinapasukan na relasyon ng ating mamayan na ito, the fact na below 18 siya, kailangan pa rin na may nag-proprovide ng guidance," she added.
Villar also said that they are not focusing or treating Aguilar's case differently than other cases involving similar charges.
"Hindi natin sini-single out si Mr. Aguilar. Kung mayroon napupunta sa atensyon namin, ganito din ang binibigay naming atensyon. It will be the same process," said Villar.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/10/22/13/freddie-aguilar-face-dswd-over-affair-minor
