Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has ordered the “full blast” city-wide implementation of curfew for children from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the city effective Monday, September 2.
Domagoso signed a memorandum directing all barangay chairpersons in Manila to strictly implement City Ordinance No. 8547 in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
“Ako po ay nababagabag na sa lumalala o pagdami ng mga solvent boys. Unang una, ito ay initial reports lang ng mga netizens, mga kuha na pictures ng mga concerned citizens sa Lungsod ng Maynila,” he said while citing his random inspection on Sunday midnight where he caught around 22 minors doing illegal activities in the area during unholy hours.
He lamented that most of the rescued victims are aged 7 to 15 years old.
He required all local leaders in Manila to submit reports every Monday on the status of its implementation.
Likewise, he also ordered the city’s social welfare and development unit to closely coordinate the matter with all the concerned parties, including authorities, for its effective implementation.
The ordinance was created during the term of former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and was enacted into law on June 28, 2018.
Domagoso reiterated that he is being true to his promise of giving Manila a government that would ensure the safety and security of all his constituents.
On the same day, he also adopted an ordinance that would penalize parents or guardians (adult offenders) of apprehended minors who abandoned or allegedly exposed minor victims to any perilous situation.
The penalties ranges from a fine of P2,000 to P5,000 or up to 6 months of imprisonment on severe cases.
Parents or guardians with more than one youth offender will face double penalties.
In fact, Domagoso said most of the apprehended minors were the same offenders caught during the previous weeks’ random inspections. They were claimed by their parents, but they later returned to the streets.
Meanwhile, during the pre-Executive Legislative agenda on Monday morning, the Manila mayor ordered Police Major Jhun Ibay of the Manila Police District (MPD) Special Mayor’s Reaction Team to find the source of solvent being distributed to children in Manila.
“Bigyan natin ng pagpapahalaga ang kinabukasan ng ating mga anak na menor de edad. Ang akin lang po ay iligtas natin sila upang hindi sila mapariwara,” he said. (Hanah Tabios)
