97 juvenile offenders released

Ninety-seven youthful offenders have been released from jail, and 14 others transferred to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other institutions on orders of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno has ordered jail wardens to submit inventories of cases involving youthful offenders to the DILG regional offices in line with efforts to speed up the release of these minors from detention as mandated by Republic Act 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare law.

He has also directed Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials to stop accepting juvenile offenders in district, municipal and city jails nationwide.

In a report to Puno, the BJMP said 22 youths charged with petty crimes were released on recognizances; 31 were freed based on provisions of RA 9344; 23 were found to have already served their sentences; the cases of 21 were dismissed; and three had posted bail.

The 14 others were transferred to the DSWD and other institutions taking care of juvenile offenders, like the Center for Restorative Activities Development and Learning Experience (CRADLE) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, the BJMP added. – Cecille Suerte Felipe