PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde ordered on Wednesday, January 23, the relief and investigation of three police officers in Navotas City for allegedly failing to deter the use of minors in illegal drug operations.

Those who were relieved were Inspector Resty Descalzo, commander of the Navotas City police community precinct, Police Officer 3 Randy Belly and Police Officer 1 Jejomar Padasas of the Navotas City police station intelligence branch.

Twelve minors were rescued by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives during an operation in alleged drug dens in Navotas Fishport in Barangay North Boulevard on January 16.

Based on video surveillance footage of the PDEA, the rescued minors were used either as drug runners, pushers or drug den maintainers and were even shown facilitating and participating in the pot sessions.

The rescued children were housed inside Navotas City’s Bahay Pag-asa, a residential facility for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

Albayalde said it is not acceptable that the police failed to monitor such illegal act.

Meanwhile, PDEA director Aaron Aquino said they will be filing charges against the parents of the rescued minors.

Aquino said the parents of the 12 minors are liable for violation of Republic Act 7610, or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”

He emphasized the important role of parents in keeping their children off the streets and from any form of exploitation and danger.

“Child neglect is the simplest form of child abuse. Parents or guardians are answerable if they are unable to protect their children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination, or worse, they are the ones committing such acts,” Aquino said, citing Section 2 of the said law.

“The children belong to their homes under their parents’ care, not in the streets where they are exposed to danger at such a young age... The parents, as head of the basic unit of society, must provide their children the basic services needed for a good quality of life,” he added.

Aquino said if the parents were proven to have coerced, forced, or intimidated their children to get involved in illegal drug trafficking, or pushing, they will also be held responsible under Section 10 of RA 7610 and may suffer imprisonment of six years and one day to eight years. (SunStar Philippines)