By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is exploring ways to strengthen coordination with local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in crafting intervention measures to steer minors away from street gangs and criminal activities.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday said the proposed measures could form part of the “Safer Cities” initiative in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, particularly in urban areas.
Launched by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the “Safer Cities” campaign enforces local ordinances, including a 10 p.m. curfew for minors.
“We treat this matter in a manner that will guide these minors in determining what is right from wrong, not in a manner that treats them as criminals through law enforcement alone,” he said in a statement.
The statement came amid a viral video showing minors harassing passengers of a public utility jeepney along Alabang–Zapote Road in Las Piñas City. One of the minors was reportedly armed with an ice pick.
Police from Las Piñas City responded to the area after receiving a report on the incident and located eight minors. They were later turned over to barangay authorities and endorsed to the DSWD for proper intervention in line with child protection protocols.
Initial investigation showed the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding with the jeepney driver. Police said no one was injured and no property was damaged.
Nartatez said he has directed police commanders to initiate dialogue with LGUs and the DSWD to address similar cases involving minors in their respective areas.
He also instructed them to include the parents of the erring minors in the discussions, noting that repeated delinquent behavior often stems from a lack of parental supervision.
“Discipline begins at home, and when minors cross the line in public, accountability doesn’t end with them — it extends to the guidance that failed to stop it,” Nartatez said. (PNA)
