Barangays urged to take custody of minors

CEBU, Philippines - The barangays are encouraged to take into protective custody the minors who are caught wandering and loitering in any public place from 10 p.m. until 4a.m. as part of the intensified implementation of the city’s curfew ordinance.

Yesterday, the City Council approved during final deliberation the amendments proposed by Councilor Edgardo Labella to strengthen the “Ordinance Prohibiting Minors (18 below) To Wander, Stray, Saunter, Loiter, Ramble on any Public Road, Plaza, Alley, Wharf, Public Market, Beach, Shopping Mall, Disco Pub or any other place within the area after 10 o’clock night time and four o’clock the following morning.”

Labella told his colleagues at the council that the only amendment made to the original ordinance was the addition of a provision under penalties that a minor violating the ordinance will be placed under protective custody by the barangay.

Protective custody, Labella said, would mean a preemptive measure, a safekeeping for the minor who is found wandering in the streets or in the above mentioned places without the company of adults so that safety is ensured or crimes are avoided.

Under the original ordinance, Labella said, first offense would mean execution of affidavit of undertaking by both guardian and minor; second is for both to undergo counseling; third offense would now require both to undergo community service and the fourth penal provision is the filing of charges.

He explained the fifth provision will now entitle barangay officials to take into protective custody the said minors who will be released after 4 a.m.

However, Association of Barangay Councils and Guadalupe barangay captain Eugenio Faelnar said the problem is that some barangays do not have female barangay tanods on duty at that certain time. Some barangays are not also equipped with a holding area for female minors.

Labella said the amendment on the original ordinance was crafted because of the clamors of several captains of mountain barangay complaining against minors who are mostly from urban barangays loitering within their vicinity.

“This is to clothe them, to give them authority, we are not forcing all barangays but there are barangays who want to be given the authority,” Labella said.

He said leaders of mountain barangays such as Bacayan and Pit-os are complaining that minors from urban barangays usually seek refuge, entertainment or want to wander in their places and some of them are not with good purpose as some of them go there to get drunk with friends or to use illegal drugs.

Faelnar said there have to be certain considerations for other unequipped barangays when the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are crafted. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)