Curfew on minors in Talisay in effect anew

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government is again putting into effect today the curfew on minors ordinance.

Supt. Henry Binas, Talisay City police chief admitted this ordinance has helped reduce crimes involving juveniles.

The police chief cited the killing of Fr. Jovencio Rabusa July last year wherein one of the four suspects was a 15-year-old.

Rabusa was shot dead by the alleged robbery gang members at the Cebu South Coastal Road in barangay Cansojong at past 10 p.m. of July 7, 2009.

City administrator Richel Bacaltos yesterday called on a meeting to discuss the city's peace and order situation. Tackled in that meeting was the re-implementation of the curfew ordinance which kicks of today.

Biñas however clarified that the ordinance was never lifted; the city did not continue enforcing it because of the summer vacation.

And since classes have opened, it has to reinforce it anew to keep the minors off the streets, he said.

Last year the city resurrected this same law following reports of the increasing number of rugby boys and prostitution.

There were areas in the city that were said to have become hangouts of young girls who reportedly offer themselves for sex for P50 to passersby.

Under the ordinance, the curfew hours start at 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. the next day.

Offenders will either be fined or asked to render community service. For the first offense, the violator can choose between a fine P50 or render civic service for four hours.

For the next offense, the violator will be fined P100 or an equivalent of eight hours of civic service.

The Talisay City Sports Complex in barangay Poblacion will once again become the temporary holding center for those who will be arrested, said Biñas.

The curfew, which will be implemented jointly by the city police and barangay tanods, will be in effect throughout the city's 22 barangays. — THE FREEMAN