Decrease in Number of CICL Cases Seen

The City Social Welfare and Development Office have recorded 63 cases of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) for 8 months period of from January to August this year, compared to lat year’s 123 cases, committed by children whose ages raging from 11 to 17 years old, committing crimes of theft, illegal position of deadly weapons and murder, in which out of this figure two are females.

Cases were filed at court against them, however being minors they are covered by the provisions of R.A. 9344 known as the “Juvenile Justice System Act of 2006”, which exempt them from criminal liability hence they are not confine to jail but release on recognizance (ROR) of their parents or submit them for rehabilitation at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth, Nueva Valencia Guimaras, or Bahay Pag-Asa Youth Center, Barangay Granada, Bacolod City.

However, a case of one 14 year old who committed an offense of murder was dismissed and he as endorsed to Barangay Captain Jeoffrey Ditching of Barangay 21 for diversion program, while another two youths who committed the offense when they were minors now presently detained at BJMP serving their sentence have availed the benefits of R.A. 9344, whom together with 6 youth offenders (YO) whose offense committed was recidivist shall be placed to the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in the Province of Guimaras for proper disposition/rehabilitation.

Information gathered from those children when interviewed stated that the main reason why they had committed the crimes were due to lack of parental guidance and concern, influence of friends and likewise due to extreme poverty.

CSWD anticipates that with barely 4 months left, this year’s CICL Cases shall not surpass last year’s figure and ill continue to conduct regular parent-child counseling, CICL/YO meetings and monitoring and such other similar activities relative to the youth and development of the child in consonance with the provision of R.A. 9344.
- by: Emma Vargas

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