13 youth offenders returns to society

THIRTEEN children in conflict with the law (CICL) were recently discharged from the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) after completing their rehabilitation inside the facility in Barangay Bayabas Sablan, Benguet.

RRCY center head and social welfare officer Johnny Bumakil said the CICL have been reintegrated back in the community as productive members of the society.

Bumakil said most CICL belong to either dysfunctional families, abandoned by parents, separated parents and victims of abuse.

“The premise in RRCY the children are victims of circumstances,” said Bumakil. “The offense that they have committed is not because of, perhaps deliberately at the very least they are still minor at the time of the commission of offense.”

Currently, the bed capacity of the center is limited to 16 catering different cases. Bumakil said a CICL, before admitted, will undergo assessments of psychological and physical status and are also given alternative education through the Alternative Learning System in the district of Sablan.

Sablan Mayor

Arthur Baldo admits the current challenge of the facility as the host municipality.

“Earlier may mga problema po sa security tsaka sa problems sa wards, alam naman natin na ang wards natin different offenses ang mga kaso nila, ibaibang tradisyon, mukha, antas ng kabuhayan. The complaint centers on food, mobility and road network” said Baldo.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has earmarked P3 million for the road rehabilitation leading to the center while a P1.5M pipeline was also allotted for the water source for RRCY.

“We are seeking the assistance of PNP to add more policemen in our locality,” said Baldo.

Sablan police chief Senior Inspector Alfredo Daculos mentioned at times, some of the 16 CICL are on the loose. “Minsan may nakakalabas kaya dapat tignan natin iyong security,” said Baldo.

During the first semester of this year, some 201 CICL were recorded as compared to the 691 last year and 915 in 2015 cases. Based on the 2016 record, 293 were below 15-years old and 398 CICL above 15 but below 18-years old.

Baguio City incurred the highest number of CICL in the whole region during the first semester this year with 115. Followed by Abra (28), Ifugao (16) and Benguet (15).