Brgys urged to enforce curfew for minors

TO CURB the acts of delinquency, teenage gang incidents and other violations of the law committed during night time in the city, the Baguio City Police Office encouraged and urged barangay officials to strictly implement the curfew hours for minors ordinance.

This is to address the continuing and growing problem of the city so as to eliminate if not to minimize incidents involving juvenile delinquents of which the victims are also the minors.

Under the city ordinance, “minors below 16 years old should not be allowed to roam or play in the streets, roads, plazas, parks or other public

places or establishments in the City of Baguio between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.”

The Ordinance provides “violators will be penalized as follows: 1st offense --- the child shall be referred to the guidance counselor of the Council for the Protection of Youth and Children; 2nd offense --- the child shall undergo counseling by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); 3rd offense --- the child shall be put by the CSWDO under and intervention program which may include community service; the CSWDO shall ensure that the community service is appropriate to the child and is consistent with the goals of the intervention program”.

It further provides that “adults who are guardian, parent, or authorized custodian of the offending child within the third degree of relationship, either by consanguinity or affinity, shall be penalized under other applicable laws and ordinances."

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to monitor and keep an eye to their children and at the same time impose them to be home before the curfew hour, stressed BCPO director Ramil Saculles. Jho Arranz/Baguio City PIO