Robredo orders police watch on gang of teen robbers

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo on Tuesday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to keep watch and act swiftly against gangs of teenage criminals known to victimize Christmas shoppers and party-goers in crowded places in Metro Manila.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER file photo

He directed PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome to pay attention to the gangs composed mostly of teenagers between 14 and 16 years old, also known as “Batang Hamog,” who had been mugging motorists and pedestrians, particularly in the Edsa-Guadalupe area in Makati City.

Robredo, also chairman of the National Police Commission, issued the directive in the wake of reports about the rise of criminal activities during the Christmas rush, such as “bukas-kotse (open car or car break-in)” and hold-up/ mugging incidents perpetrated by young offenders.

He instructed the PNP to increase police visibility and establish police outposts in the Makati area to prevent the juveniles from carrying out criminal acts.

“Please take immediate action to put a stop to these nefarious acts and protect our motorists, commuters and passers-by from being victimized by criminal groups,” he said in a statement.

The official lamented that most youth offenders appeared to be “emboldened by their ability to commit the crime and get away with it, and do their nefarious acts even in broad daylight.”

“Crime syndicates are using these minors to carry out their crimes because under the law, the latter will not be jailed and will just be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” he said.

Earlier, the DILG said it would submit a bill to Congress seeking to amend the juvenile delinquency law, which has exempted youths aged 15 years and below from any criminal liability.

Moreover, under Section 6 of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, children above 15 years but below 18 years of age are exempt from criminal liability and shall be subjected to an intervention program, unless it is proven that they acted with discernment.