Due to the increase of petty crimes where the perpetrators are Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), Davao City Police Chief Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria said that he would strengthen the implementation of the curfew of minors especially those loitering around the streets in the wee hours of night and early morning.
He told the reporters during the first meeting of the Davao City Peace and Order Council (DPOC) that he had ordered the city police to reprimand these minors.
“We won’t arrest them, we would just rescue them,” Dubria stressed.
He added that he didn’t want to violate any rights of the minor, henceforth, the rescued minor would be returned to his or her respective family in his or her respective home.
“Children should be in their respective houses and not in the streets,” said Dubria.
With that note, he encouraged parents and guardians to discipline children and minors entrusted to them to discipline them against wandering in the streets especially at night.
Dubria stressed that he would sanction or file a case against those parents who let their children violate the curfew.
With December fast approaching, he said that children begging for donations and gifts from passengers in public vehicles are “putting themselves in harm’s way.”
Dubria called out to motorists and other vehicle owners to observe the speed limit to prevent accidents.
Despite the dangers for the children, people still give them donations, according to him. He added that the city police could not prevent these children from putting their lives in danger since they have been doing this for the spirit of Christmas, but they could regulate the vehicles to lessen the dangers.
