Malonzo asks SC for more juvenile courts

Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo appealed yesterday to the Supreme Court (SC) for additional juvenile courts in the city to hasten the resolution of cases against youth offenders whose number continuously increases in the city’s already congested jail.

"Most of these juvenile delinquents are accused of only minor crimes but have been languishing in jail for a long time already," Malonzo said.

Malonzo visited the city jail over the weekend to see for himself the condition of the prisoners, especially the 87 minor inmates locked up in a single cell.

"Their prolonged stay in jail would do them more harm than good," Malonzo added.

Malonzo said that several of the youth offenders are now entitled to probation but since Caloocan has only one juvenile court, it would be very hard for a single judge to immediately resolve their cases.

Malonzo expressed fears of the influence of adult and hardened criminals on these young prisoners.

Senior Inspector Roberto Timbreza, chief of Caloocan City Jail escort and custodial section, said that of the 87 minor inmates, the youngest is a 10-year-old, facing rape charges.

Another one, charged with murder, was only 15 when he was imprisoned but three years have passed and his case is yet to be resolved.

"Jail is not the right place for them to be reformed," Timbreza said. "They should not be here, they should be at the youth centers where an appropriate government agency, like the social welfare department, could look after them."

Timbreza added that most of the youth offenders are charged with crimes such as robbery, physical injuries, possession of prohibited drugs and illegal possession of firearms, among others.

"They are packed in just a single cell. First offenders should not stay long in jail to avoid the bad influence of other inmates," Timbreza said

Timbreza added that since the local social welfare department has no office in the Caloocan City Jail, unlike Quezon City and Manila, he is urging its personnel to double their efforts in monitoring the juvenile delinquent cases. –Pete Laude