Council urges Caretta: Address gang problem

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Council has called on officials of barangay Caretta to extra effort in addressing the gang-related problems in the barangay that have claimed the lives of several of its residents.

Councilor Edgardo Labella of the city’s north district said that while maintaining peace and order is primarily the concern of the police, the problem of children getting in conflict with the law “dysfunctional family relationship, poverty or peer influence.”

Quoting a fundamental principle of the United Nations’ policy in the administration of juvenile justice, Labella said “sufficient attention shall be given to positive measures that involve the full mobilization of all possible resources, including the family, schools and others for the purpose of promoting the well-being of the juvenile.”

Labella believes this principle can well be exercised by barangay officials.

“Concrete steps should be taken to solve this dilemma especially in areas where youth gangsterism and crimes involving minors frequently happen,” Labella said.

Residents of Caretta already sought the help of media in calling the attention of the barangay’s officials to address the problem of rampant gang squabbles in the barangay.

“Paita, ang among mga opisyal diri sa Caretta dili makabadlong. Dia pay polis nga nagpuyo diri nga magtan-aw lang sa mga gang nga klaro kaayong nangita og kaaway,” a Caretta resident said.

A few days ago, a 17-year-old boy was found dead on top of a tomb in the Chinese cemetery located in Caretta. The boy’s body bore multiple bullet wounds.

Later, police seized two unlicensed firearms from two youths who were apprehended in connection with the killing.

Only the other day, some gang members reportedly fired shots at the Caretta barangay hall and it was fortunate that nobody was hit.

One of the suspects, who was later arrested by the police, said he only wanted to take revenge on the death of his brother who was allegedly shot by a member of the Crips gang inside the Chinese cemetery.

The suspect said several men he believed to be members of the Crips gang reportedly ran towards the barangay hall, which prompted him to aim his shots there. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)