Las Piñas curfew reduces crime rate

MANILA, Philippines - A curfew for minors imposed by the Las Piñas City government has cut down petty crimes involving minors, city police chief Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula said yesterday.

Though he could not cite figures, he said it is now rare for them to handle cases involving juvenile offenders since City Ordinance 455-99 was implemented in June 2010. Police officers, barangay officials and subdivision security guards can round up minors found roaming the streets from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

“The ordinance is aimed to protect minors from being used by criminals in carrying out their illegal activities,” Sapitula said.