CEBU, Philippines - Five street children were rounded up by the police after they were accused of robbing a Korean national Tuesday evening in Barangay Lahug.
Lee Kyung Sun complained before the Mabolo police station that a group of street children robbed her of her shoulder bag containing P3,000 cash and the key of her hotel room while she was walking along Salinas Drive in Lahug at about 8:10 p.m.
Lee said the five minors, ages 12 to 14, surrounded her and asked for something. However, one from the group suddenly grabbed her bag before running away and the rest of the members of the group follow suit.
Police Officer 2 Rommel Oporto said it was not the first incident that a group of minors is involved in robbery incidents. In fact, it was already the fifth incident since July.
Oporto said the minors will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for counselling and rehabilitation. He said they cannot press charges against them because they were all under 15 years old.
Under the Republic Act 9344 otherwise known as the Juvenile Welfare Act minor offenders, 15 years old and below, are exempted from criminal prosecution. However, the child shall be subjected to an intervention program. A child above 15 years but below 18 years of age shall likewise be exempt from criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless he/she has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Fuente Police Station claimed that similar incidents of theft involving street children have decreased within their area of jurisdiction. Police Officer 1 Raphy Jotojot attributed this to the program of then Fuente Police chief Michael Bastes wherein several children were adopted by the police station. The children were sent to school, fed and given food. — (FREEMAN)