In great exasperation, local chief Teddy Sabuga-a of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) lambasted the parents and adults directly involved in the use of children or minors for illegal drug activities.
Sabuga-a blew his top after three minors being used as "drug runners" by their elders, were rescued by authorities in a drug bust in barangay Balulang, Cagayan de oro City on August 30.
In fact, one of them was a son of a couple cum drug dealers who evaded arrest during the operation.
“They should be condemned, ” Sabuga-a said, referring to the abusive parents.
Sabuga-a said these children have become victims of abuse and exploitation that parents should be held liable and be penalized for implicating minors in illegal activities.
"That is why they are called minors because they need parental guidance since they can't distinguish what is right and wrong kaydili pa sila mature,"Sabuga-a said.
He said parents who embroiled minors in whatever forms of illegal activities showed no compassion and love towards their children.
"Naa number nato sa mga minors dili lang related sa drugs but that is why kinahanglan nga hingusgan nato kampanya batok niini nga sitwasyon,"Sabuga-a added.
Sabuga-a reiterated the city needs a stricter policy for children in conflict with the law.
CSWD is still finalizing the draft of the code on parental responsibility that will help solve the problem on children who commit a crime.
If the City Council approved the ordinance, Sabuga-a said the parents who neglect, exploit and abuse minors will be penalized.
"Kung makapasar kini sa konseho dakong tabang kini. Anaa sa provision ang pag penalized sa mga hamtong sama sa community service kung magpasagad sa ilang mga anak ug daghan pa nga provision," Sabuga-a said.
Sabuga-a added the CSWD and the police maintained their constant coordination and have followed standard protocols against delinquent children in the community.
CSWD holds the custody of minors entangled in a crime or in troubled situation in the absence of the parents or guardians.
"Naa naman tay SOP ana with the children and women's desk pag nay mga minors nga maapil sa ilang operation like i-determine ang edad and then processing and so on," Sabuga-a said.