INTERIOR and Local Government undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Dino and Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday, February 20, expressed support for the proposed law imposing a nationwide curfew for minors to protect them from being used in illegal activities.
"Kaya't merong mga local na law na dapat tinutupad na noon pa kaya't kami sumasangayon kami sa nationwide composition ng curfew. Dapat talaga dahil lalo na ngayon at syempre delikado rin ang kabataan dahil ginagawa na nilang laro," Diño said.
"Maganda dito makakatulong ang barangay, makakapasok na kami ngayon, ibig sabihin dati hindi kami makielam, dahil nga yung human rights, human rights," he added.
Meantime, Dela Rosa said the lack of nationwide curfew has been their source of frustration because drug syndicates are using minors as drug couriers.
“Isipin mo, meron akong nahuling isang modus ng drug lord (noon), para safe s’ya sa distribution ng kanyang drugs meron akong nadiskubre pupunta s’ya doon sa internet cafe at observe nung drug lord ‘yung mga bata na hooked sa video games. Pagkatapos kapag natalo hahanap ng pera para pambayad sa internet cafe... Kapag frustrated ang mga minor kakausapin nya ano wala ka na pera, gusto mo ng pera. Bibigyan kita ng P1,000, magdala ka lang ng cake,” he said.
“So ‘yung bata yun lang ang ginagawa nya nagdedeliver sya ng cake, bibili ng cake bigay sa kanya. Yun pala ‘yung cake na ‘yun may palaman sa loob na shabu. Ginagawa nyang courier yung mga bata,” he added.
However, he said they can’t do anything because even if they have arrested the minor as they just have to turn them over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
He said if only minors stay home, they would not be used in illegal activities.
On February 5, Barangay Henerasyon party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera Dy filed House Bill no. 7110, which seeks to impose a nationwide curfew to promote child safety and protection of welfare of persons under 18 years old.
Under the said House bill, persons under 18 years old will not be allowed on the streets from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless they are with their parents or guardian. (SunStar Philippines)