Cops warn vs selling liquor to minors as sex crimes, riots increase

MANILA, Philippines - Police warned traders yesterday against selling liquor to minors, saying that most riots and sex-related crimes perpetrated by teenagers were brought about by the availability and unregulated consumption of alcoholic beverages.

“We have noticed that sex offenders are getting younger these days due to easy access to alcoholic drinks. I believe majority of sex crimes arising from drunkenness will be lessened if the sources of these alcoholic drinks will observe the law,” Sampaloc police station chief Frumencio Bernal said.

He added that many stores violate the law by selling liquor to minors. He has given strict orders for policemen to monitor the activities of neighborhood stores that reportedly defy the law on selling of alcoholic drinks.

“Aside from drugs, alcohol is the most commonly abused drinks among the youths which they can easily buy in the neighborhood stores. And when they become drunk, they indulge in riots or sex trips,” Bernal said.

He cited the gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl in Sampaloc on Tuesday allegedly perpetrated by four youths. The victim and the suspects had a drinking spree after buying a local brandy at a neighborhood store. When the girl became drunk, the youths took turns raping her. The girl’s father discovered the rape when he noticed the hickeys – marks on the skin produced by biting or sucking, and associated with physical intimacy – on her body.

Police arrested the four youths and charged them with rape before the Manila prosecutor’s office. The suspects were remanded to the Manila Youth Rehabilitation Center for being minors. – Nestor Etolle