Quezon City rounds up minors violating curfew ordinance

The Quezon City government has implemented its ordinance imposing a curfew on minors after the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the City's ordinance imposing a curfew for minors, GMA News' Jay Sabale reported on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" on Wednesday.

Under the said ordinance, minors are not allowed to loiter outside their houses from 10 p.m. up to 5 a.m. the next day.

The report shows a child crying and calling for his mother as officials caught up with him.

In Barangay E. Rodriguez, authorities targeted computer shops where several male minors were caught.

One of the boys tried to evade being taken to the barangay hall claiming that he was 18 years-old and was doing research. By the time his brother arrived to pick him up, it was found that he was only 16 years old.

The report also followed officials in a billiard place inside the public market where they nabbed a boy, who said arranging balls during billiard games was a part-time job.

However, his father who arived to pick him up told GMA News that he had long told his son to return to school but the boy was influenced by friends to do otherwise.

A tricycle driver who also came for his son was happy about the ordinance.

"Tama po 'yun para sa kabataan po, umiwas sa disgrasya," he said.

Barangay Captain Marciano Buena-Agua, Jr. welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court.

"Ngayon hindi na nila magagawa kasi 10 o'clock nasa bahay na nila iyong mga kabataan na iyan," Buena-Agua said.

"Pero noong natigil, ginagamit ng mga masasama ang mga 'to ang kabataan, na nagpapagamit naman, pero 'di nila alam na iyon na ang umpisa ng kanilang kasamaan sa darating na panahon," he added.

It was in July last year that several groups questioned the ordinance imposing curfew on minors passed by several cities in Metro Manila. As a result, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declared the ordinance as implemented in Quezon City as constitutional.

The SC nullified Manila's Ordinance No. 8046 and Pambansang Ordinansa Blg. 2002-13 issued by the Navotas City government.

Quezon City Mayor Mayor Herbert Bautista said although he still has to see a copy of the court decision, he will ensure the implementation of the ordinance.

"We can now implement the Discipline Hour Ordinance in Quezon City. The 142 barangays will now ensure that the provisions of the Ordinance are judiciously enforced with full consideration of human rights," Bautista told GMA News.

The order states that children below 18 years old will not be allowed outside their homes during the Discipline Hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The report said exemptions will only be applied to minors accompanied by adults, en route to and from official school activities or organizations, and participating in any activities of the city, barangay, or religous group.

Corresponding fines and penalities for each violation of the Quezon City Discipline Hours according to the report are as follows:

1st offense: The minor will be taken to the barangay hall or police station; the parent or guardian will pay a P2,000 fine or render 48 hours of community service

2nd offense: The minor will be taken to the barangay hall or police station; the parent or guardian will pay a P3,000 fine or render 72 hours of community service

3rd offense: The minor will be taken to the barangay hall or police station; the parent or guardian will pay a P5,000 fine or spend six months in prison

The report added that minors who were found to have violated the ordinance several times will be turned over to the Social Services Development Department for counseling.

Meanwhile, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, whose own ordinance was nullified by the SC, said he respects the decision of the Supreme Court.

"Rerespetuhin po natin 'yan at susundin po natin kung ano ang sinabi po doon," Tiangco said.

"Once we get the final decision of the Supreme Court, titignan po natin kung ano 'yung merong mali doon sa ordinansa po natin, tapos papalitan po natin 'yun para matama ayon doon sa sinasabi ng Supreme Court," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News