DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 24 Jun) – After blaming the Philippines’ Juvenile Justice Law for the rising crimes involving children in Davao City, its controversial Mayor Rodrigo Duterte now called stupid the lawmakers behind the passage of that law that protects minors from imprisonment.
"Congressmen are really stupid for passing this law, I cannot understand why they allow the passage of this law when some of them are former mayors and governors who understand very well the problems it will cause to the public," Duterte said.
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years old and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte, a lawyer, said due to the passage of the Juvenile Justice Law, a number of teenagers in Davao City continue to commit crimes because they cannot be imprisoned.
”The police have no choice but to release these teenagers who commit crimes since they can be sued if they continue to imprison these people,” he said.
Duterte called on the parents to discipline their children before he imposes his own “brand of solution” to the problem.
”I tell you disciple your children or I will impose my own solution to the problem which I think will be very hurting on your part,” he warned.
Duterte previously said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
Duterte’s stand on the Juvenile Justice Law has been largely criticized in Davao City by groups advocating children’s rights.
Critics told Duterte to implement a program that will help juvenile delinquents and put up more social centers that will address the problems pose by street children and criminalities involving minors.
Duterte has won a reelection in the May 14 national and local polls with her daughter Sarah, also a lawyer, as his vice mayor.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions, which Davao City is notoriously known for.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
Showing posts with label Juvenile Justice Law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Juvenile Justice Law. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
RP's Juvenile Justice Law, A Headache Says Mayor As Killings Continue In Davao
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Mar) – Local mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday blamed the Philippines’ Juvenile Justice Law for the rising street crimes involving minors.
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18 years old.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla hyasmind Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
The law, authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, prohibits children, ages 15 years and below, who committed crimes, to be incarcerated until they reach 18 years old.
Instead the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes custody of the young offenders, but the government has no enough facilities to keep the children out of the street.
Duterte said the law caused “headaches and problems” because offenders freely roam despite their criminal cases or charges against them.
“Some members of the judiciary and local government units in the country had observed the rise of street crimes after the passage of the law, he said.
Duterte urged lawmakers to amend the law, saying, it has many flaws. "Because of this law, teenagers who commit crimes are immediately released by the police,” he said.
The party list group, Kabataan, said many minors who committed crimes had been executed in Davao City and urged the DSWD to do something about the safety of street children.
Karla hyasmind Apat, the group’s vice president for Mindanao, said it is DSWD’s responsibility to ensure an efficient program in keeping the minors out of the streets.
”The DSWD has remained silent on the issue of minors being executed in the city. This is a systemic problem. If the government fails to address the basic social services needs of the people, more and more children will be pushed out of school and be involved in anti-social activities," Apat told the Mindanao Examiner.
Apat said blamed the government for failing to address juvenile delinquency in the country.
"Before criminalizing the youth offenders, the government must get to the bottom of delinquency which is the crisis on education and poverty," she said.
Apat did not say who were behind the killing of the children or whether it was connected to gang war or summary executions.
Hundreds of criminals and people with police records had been executed the past years in Davao City. Families and relatives of those killed have implicated the authorities. (Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Cooperation Needed For Success Of RP's Juvenile Justice Law
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 07 Oct) - The success of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Law hinges on the creation and composition of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council to be composed of representatives from the government, non-government organizations and other sectors.
Local Council woman Milabel Velasquez, who heads the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Women and Family, said she sees a brighter future for the children once the Juvenile Justice Welfare Law is fully enforced throughout the country.
“Another requirement is for all social welfare officers to be familiar with the salient provisions of the law so that they may effectively manage cases and bring about more positive results,” Velasquez said.
She said no less than the author of Republic Act 9344 Senator Francis Pangilinan has assured that victims of crimes committed by youth offenders could seek justice under the new law.
Velasquez was among the 400 participants who attended the 10th National Forum of Social Welfare Officers and legislators at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel this week. She spoke to Pangilinan during the forum.
Velasquez said under the Juvenile Justice System, youth offenders who are 15 years old and below are exempted from facing criminal charges in court. However, the policy of involuntary confinement will have to be applied where the youth offenders shall be subjected to extensive rehabilitation through various intervention schemes.
These intervention schemes include psycho-social counseling, education, skills and livelihood and other disciplinary trainings.
Velasquez explained that youth offenders who are 15 years old but not more than 18 years of age maybe exempted from criminal liability unless they acted with discernment.
She said a new rehabilitation center equipped with facilities for children in conflict with the law will have to be set up in Zamboanga City, and this may require a huge sum of money.
Under the Juvenile Justice System, the volume of work and the responsibility of child management lies heavily on the social welfare officers, and that "any inefficiencies in case management could unnecessarily result to a defeat in the basic intent and purpose of the statute," Velasquez cautioned.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)