CLB reminds parents anew of duty to protect kids

CEBU, Philippines - After recent unfavorable incidents involving minors in the province, the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) has reminded parents of their responsibility to protect their children from any form of abuse.

Lawyer Noemi Truya-Abarientos, CLB spokesperson, said even parents are not excused from liability should they commit unlawful acts against their children.

“Kung ma-endanger ang bata, probably causing death, daghan pwede ma-file against the mother. And she, being a mother, is not an excuse for her nga di siya makiha og child abuse or serious physical injuries or parricide. Parents are not excused sa atong balaod sa RA (Republic Act) 7610. If the things they (parents) do would (constitute) child abuse, then they should answer for that,” she told reporters.

RA 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” imposes a penalty of imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years on any person who commits acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation.

Abarientos further asked the local government units to craft measures to ensure the protection of children in their respective jurisdictions.

“We have just completed training for our legislators on how to make legislations related to trafficking and child abuse. Hopefully, they would enact ordinances pertaining to the protections of women and children,” she said.

Last Tuesday, a seven-year-old boy in Daanbantayan town sustained a wound to his elbow after he was hacked by his mother with a kitchen knife for sleeping in school.

The mother claimed that she was only frustrated at that time over the non-payment of debt by her customers.

The mother spent a night in jail but the police were forced to release her the next day upon the request of the husband and the son himself who personally approached the Daanbantayan police station chief.

Abarientos said it would be up to law enforcers and social workers to initiate legal moves on the incident.

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro, in a separate interview, said the family is constantly being monitored by the personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

On the same day in Bogo City, a three-year old boy was also held hostage by his father.  (FREEMAN)