Caloocan steps up drive to protect children from abuse

MANILA, Philippines - The Caloocan City government stepped up its campaign to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation by getting the help of parents, schools and community leaders.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri directed the city’s social welfare department to coordinate with Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president Ricojudge Echiverri to have the city’s 188 village leaders take up seminars on awareness to prevent child abuse and exploitation and on how to properly handle cases involving minors.

The mayor urged parents to properly supervise their children’s exposure to violent television programs and their access to the Internet.

Echiverri also directed the city police to assign special investigators on cases involving minors, particularly sexual abuse victims, due to the sensitive nature of their cases.