Councilor Labella pushes implementation of curfew

CEBU, Philippines – Even if Mayor Michael Rama is against the imposition of curfew, one of his partymates in the city council is pushing for the strict implementation of the curfew ordinance of the city.

Councilor Edgardo Labella is requesting all barangay officials to actively assist the police in the strict enforcement of the curfew ordinance in the city.

Labella said he will sponsor a resolution during the City Council's regular session tomorrow calling the officials of the Association of Barangay Councils to strictly imple-ment the curfew ordinance in their respective barangays.

The north district councilor said that curfew ordinance remains applicable because it has not been suspended. He said it is not only implemented by the barangay officials.

According to Labella, the first curfew ordinance of the city was enacted on March 29, 1957 during the stint of then Mayor Sergio "Serging" Osmeña, father of South Dis-trict Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

The city's 53-year old curfew ordinance has been amended for several times already to attune to changing conditions and in the light of the new law, particularly the Juvenile and Justice Act of 2006.

The latest amendment to the city's curfew ordinance was introduced by Labella and was passed by the City Council only last September 30, 2009 or three years after the en-actment of Republic Act 9344.

Such law "criminally exempt" the minors below 15 years old from being charged in court for any offenses, while those 15 to 18 years of age can be criminally charged in court only if they committed the crime "with discernment."

Labella said the curfew ordinance should be strictly implemented to deter minors from committing crimes or falling victims to crime themselves.

The curfew hours start at 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. in the following morning.

"Prevention or intervention if earlier implemented is more effective than punishment," Labella said.

Rama earlier said that there is no need of a curfew for minors in the city because he wants the parents to be responsible in making sure that their kids are at home in the wee hours of the night.

Labella said the minors shall not be considered arrested even if they are caught violating the curfew ordinance but rather they will be held for safe keeping while waiting for their parents.

"This pattern, practice and habit of minors to loiter around at the prohibited time will curb the appalling offenses spawned from frequent unwarranted gatherings," Labella said.

According to Labella, the state has the right to step-in where parents, guardians and adults fail to exercise their parental responsibility over these minors under their custody. (FREEMAN)