CEBU, Philippines - Juveniles were behind most crimes the previous years in Mandaue City.
Mandaue City Police Office director P Sr./Supt. Noel Gillamac however said crimes committed by minors are on the decline following the enforcement of the curfew ordinance, high police visibility, and the posting of village watchmen in strategic places in the 27 barangays.
The curfew covers the whole territorial jurisdiction of the city. Residents 18 years old and below are not allowed to loiter in any public place between 10 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Minors are spared from the ordinance if accompanied by at least a parent or guardian or any legitimate adult.
Authorized to enforce the ordinance are the police, barangay tanods, and City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) social workers.
In a span of six months this year, the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) has accounted 11 incidents involving minors.
In 2010, 110 incidents were reported and 49 of which were referred to City Social Welfare Services (CSWS). While 32 cases were filed in court and 23 were settled.
In 2009, WCPD recorded 65 cases involving minors. Twenty-four out of 65 were referred to CSWS while 27 were settled and 14 were filed in court.
Gillamac said minors prefer to stay home rather than go out because a lot of community cops and tanods patrol the streets.
"Sa ilang patrol, minors are afraid to go out na kay naa naman mag-roving sa ilang dapit," he said. (FREEMAN)