Holding parents accountable for crimes committed by their children (who are still deemed minors) is an effective crime deterrent.
In Mandaluyong City, crimes involving children have dropped by almost 75% since March 2014 following the implementation of the Code of Parental Responsibility or City Ordinance No. 538. This according to Jimmy Isidro, Public Information Chief.
According to an article by Jovic Yee in the Inquirer, in 2013, a total of 256 cases of crimes involving children were reported to the women and children’s protection desk of Mandaluyong. The crimes ranged from simple mischief to rioting, and even robbery.
However, with the implantation of the ordinance, the number of crimes involving minors dropped significantly to 77 in 2014, and 73 in 2015.
The following statements were taken from Yee's report:
“With this ordinance, the family grows closer to the government. They become more aware of their responsibilities and not become too dependent o[n] the government,” Isidro told the Inquirer.
As such, the local government of Mandaluyong has welcomed a study of their city ordinance by presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte.
“We can supplement [Duterte’s] planned curfew with a more holistic policy like our Code,” said Isidro.
Mandaluyong’s response to the increase of crimes committed by children
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Charisse Abalos.
Under the ordinance, violators are either fined or imprisoned.
According to Isidro, the ordinance is a way around the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006, which prohibits the penalization of children below 15 years old.
Mandaluyong, according to Isidro, not only penalizes parents of minors found in conflict with the law. The city government also punishes parents who fail to provide or deprive the children of adequate education and health services.
Mandaluyong likewise imposes a 10 p.m. curfew for minors.
A curfew for minors
Duterte recently announced that a curfew of 10 p.m. will be implemented for minors—a policy that has worked well in Davao City, where Duterte was Mayor. Under the proposed curfew scheme, parents of minors roaming the streets past curfew without adult supervision will be arrested.
The children would then be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Isidro revealed that Batangas and Leyte are also interested in duplicating the measure in their localities.
Read: Top 20 crime-prone barangays in Quezon City (and how to stay safe)
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