More than 2,000 minors taken under custody for curfew violation

MANILA, Philippines — More than 2,000 minors were rescued by the Manila Police District (MPD) amid the strict enforcement of city government’s ordinance on curfew hours, Manila Public Information Office (PIO) said Friday.

Recent data from the Manila PIO showed that 2,265 were taken under custody of by the MPD from September 2 to September 20.

Sta. Cruz police station and Balut police station have the highest number of rescued minors with 463 and 458, respectively.

Manila government’s Department of Social Welfare chief Re Fugoso said that of the 2,265 minors, six were found to have violated the city ordinance three times. These minors along with their parents were penalized with 72 hours of community service.

Fugoso said some minors and parents were mandated to join cleaning activities at the Bonifacio Shrine in Lawton while the rest were ordered to undergo cleaning programs in their respective barangays.

Under the ordinance, minors must follow the curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Rescued minors will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Parents whose children violated the curfew hours for the third time will undergo community service in barangays and charitable non-government offices.

Meanwhile, those who would violate the ordinance for more than three times will face a fine of P2,000 or one month imprisonment up to a fine of P5,000 or three months imprisonment. /jpv

READ: Manila orders strict enforcement of curfew on minors