Parents may be charged with negligence if kids are on drugs – LGU

Parents could be charged with negligence if their minor children become addicted to drugs, a local government official said.

“Puwede silang kasuhan ng parental negligence. Ito 'yung ginagamit namin sa mga magulang para i-subject for rehab ang mga anak nila,” said Malabon City Social Welfare officer Patricia Agcaoili in a report by Marisol Abdurahman on “Balitanghali” on Tuesday.

“Kung minor ka, puwede namin silang pag-aralin kung desidido sila,” Brgy. Hulong Dagat, Malabon chairman Anthony Velasquez added.

One example cited in the report is 15-year-old Totoy, who admitted that he started doing drugs when he was 11 years old due to peer pressure, and has been using his income from fishing to buy illegal substances.

“Siyempre, natikman po  kaya parang nagustuhan na rin. Nakakatulong rin sa trabaho. Alam po, pero ayaw lang nilang mahuli kami,” Totoy said.

His parents have been urging him to stop. “Aaminin kong napabayaan ko. Hinahanap niya 'yung aruga ng ama,” Totoy's father Joey said, but added that he does not want to see his son in rehab.

“Hindi po talaga dahil naaawa din ako dahil anak ko 'yan, 'eh,” he said.

According to data from the Philippine National Police, 288 minors nationwide were nabbed for illegal drug activities last year. — Bianca Rose Dabu/BM, GMA News