Police lament helplessness vs minors

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Police has raised concerns over youth offenders committing crimes over and over again because of the vicious cycle of releasing them without facing any criminal complaint.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) spokesperson Supt. Renato Dugan lamented during the weekly AGIO Forum that the law enforcers are faced with this predicament of juvenile delinquents becoming recidivist. 

“Ang nakapait kay ang mga minors nga among madakpan inug turnover namo sa DSWD kay wala silay facility, so ang mahitabo e-release ra gihapon namo and then they commit crimes again. Nag balik balik ra gyud,” Dugan said.

Under the Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006 “children in conflict with law” cannot be jailed unless he acted with discernment.

Under the same law, if the offender is 15 years old and below he cannot be imprisoned. “Daghan na mga bata karon bisan ten years old pa lang maayo na kaayo mangawat. But what can the law enforcement do nga di man ni sila pwede ma priso otherwise kami ang makiha,” said Dugan.

Dugan said there are also criminals who used minors in their illegal activities, taking advantage of the law.

“Naa man gani ubang mga minor offenders nga magdala gyud ug birth certificate to prove nga minor sila. Ing-ana na sila ka hi-tech karon. Ang uban hadlukon pa ang pulis nga di sila pwede i-priso kay minor sila.  (There are even minors who bring with them their birth certificate as proof. Some would even threatened the police that they could not be put in jail because they are minors),” said Dugan.

Dugan, however, said that although crime incidents involving minor offenders are increasing but the crime volume in the region is generally lower at present compared to the previous year.

Dugan cited police visibility, target setting, detailed plan as well as assessment or evaluation of their assigned tasked as among the reasons why crime occurrence is much lower now.

Atty. Resty Sibay, spokesperson of the National Police Commission (Napolcom)-7, said that the Juvenile Justice Law has to be revisited and has to be amended especially the age of the minor offenders.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 director Ananias Villacorta is urging legislators to revisit the law to find out if it is still relevant to the present time.

DILG is spearheading the National Crime Prevention Week on September 1 to 7 with a theme, “Malasakit mo ay kailangan upang krimen ay maiwasan!”.

The organizing committee endeavors to promote proactive approach in preventing crimes and creating safe communities by forging partnerships with barangay residents, community leaders, business owners and local police to solve crime and long range community problems.

“Crime prevention is not only the job of the law enforcement, everyone should get involved especially the public,” said DILG-7 assistant director Elias Fernandez.

The 3rd nationwide search for Model PNP Families will highlight this year’s celebration. This is in line with the Napolcom’s mission of achieving highly capable, effective and credible police force.

It also aims to complement PNP’s priority thrusts of developing competent, disciplined, responsible and values-oriented policemen or women and their families as excellent community leaders and models of notable accomplishments.

Several activities are lined-up for the said event, among which are the seminars on crime prevention and drug abuse awareness in selected schools, radio and TV guestings in order to generate more awareness about crime prevention.—(FREEMAN)