Pursuant to its mandate as Ombud for Children, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)—through its Investigation Office and National Capital Region (NCR) Office—dispatched a Quick Response Operation team to Gentle Hands Incorporated (GHI), an orphanage in Quezon City, upon cognizance of the cease and desist order (CDO) issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on May 22 because of alleged violations committed by the orphanage.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, GHI was found to be in violation of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination, and has failed to comply with the minimum standards for residential facilities for children. However, accounts circulating online also claimed that DSWD and police officers who came to retrieve the children the night of 22 May 2023 were armed, causing distress among the children.