Manila Bulletin

Las Piñas tightens curfew on minors

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Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar ordered the police and barangay officials to fully implement the ordinance on the curfew for minors to ensure their protection and promote social order.

Aguilar issued the directive following crime incidents involving minors.

“We must not compromise the welfare and safety of our children since it is our obligation as parents and public servants to protect them from any threat or harm,” the mayor said.

She instructed Las Piñas City police chief Senior Superinten­dent Marlon D. Balonglong to intensify the enforcemen­t of the ordinance in coordinati­on with the City Social Welfare and Developmen­t Office (CSWDO) to guarantee the safety of the children.

The city ordinance is not meant to threaten or harrass the youth but is aimed at protecting them from falling prey to criminal and lawless elements and likewise to prevent them from committing or getting involved in crimes.

Likewise, Aguilar urged barangay officials to strengthen its drive against minors on the streets during the prescribe curfew hours, with caution to deal with them appropriat­ely when accosting them.

She also urged parents and guardians to cooperate with law enforcers and barangay officials in keeping order in the community by making sure that their children are in their homes after school and not on the streets, particular­ly during the curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Under the curfew ordinance, minors found or caught on the streets or outside of their residences will be escorted home and turned over to their parents or guardians. In their absence, the violators will be made to stay at the barangay hall and released at 7 a.m.

Repeat offenders will be referred to the CSWDO for counsellin­g.

Exempted from the ordinance are emergency cases, minors accompanie­d by parents or guardians, or attending official school or religious activities.

Students attending official school activities late at night must carry and present a valid school ID.

“As a mother, my heart goes for children and minors being victimized or are perpetrato­rs of crimes themselves,” Aguilar said.

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