WITH only a backpack, a one-way ticket, $200 in cash, and a satchel containing personal documents, “Andrew” (not his real name), 17, took the early flight to Guam from Manila, unaccompanied by an adult, with hopes of landing a job and eventually helping his family back home in the Philippines.

After arriving at the Won Pat International Airport at 4 a.m., the minor, who is a U.S. passport holder, went through immigration without question. He weighed his options after asking people for information. Within the next few hours, he took a cab to the One Stop Career Center (OSCC) in Hagåtña to apply for a job, where an Agency for Human Resources and Development staffer learned about his plight after OSCC staff requested for translation assistance.

AHRD Director Antonio Antolin Jr. said the staffer assisted the minor and consulted with appropriate government of Guam agencies and the Philippine Consulate General in Hagåtña regarding proper procedures. They were advised to contact the Guam Child Protective Services.

One of the staffers who assisted the minor, Administrative Services Officer Araceli Cruz, said: “We needed to see the legal aspect of the situation. That’s why we placed an appointment with CPS. From there we can probably identify where we can situate him and if we can give him temporary housing.”

Hardships

Andrew was born in Saipan and returned to Manila with his father when he was 4 years old. He grew up in Tala compound, an urban poor community in Caloocan, Manila.

Although the decision to come to Guam was difficult, he made it on his own volition, he said. Life in Tala compound was hard, according to Andrew, which was aggravated by the lack of job opportunities for young people his age.

He said in Tagalog: “I want to have a life where I do not have to worry about my future or the future of my grandchildren.”

Dr. Del Aquilizan, another staffer who assisted Andrew, said his life back home in Tala compound gave him the courage to leave.

“Maybe he witnessed the hardship of the people, not only of his parents but also of the community,” Aquilizan stated.

Follow up

Variety spoke with Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian of the Philippine Consulate General in Hagåtña after receiving reports that the minor has dual citizenship. He clarified that the minor is a U.S. citizen, and therefore, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. government.

Auxilian said the Philippine Consulate spoke with AHRD and suggested they refer the minor to appropriate local government institutions.

On their part, he said, the Philippine Consulate has already informed the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila about the situation and requested them to contact the father. Auxilian also requested that AHRD update them about the situation.

Late afternoon yesterday, Antolin informed the Variety that the minor has been taken under the custody of Child Protective Services.

“We are going to follow up. We will do whatever we can to help him out. Actually, a lot of our staffers wanted to help him out,” Antolin stated.