Some QC residents prefer barangay custody for minors caught breaking curfew ordinance

Concerned residents of Quezon City appealed to barangay officials to bring minors found breaking the curfew ordinance to village offices instead of police stations.

While they are in favor of the curfew ordinance, residents from Barangay Damayang Lagi appealed to have barangay officials lecture erring children than have them face the police.

"Pabor din ako pero 'yung dadalhin sila sa police station hindi ako pabor. Sa barangay puwede pang ayusin para itama kung ano yung malli," resident Evangeline Ramos said in a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita.

"Oo, pabor ako dun pero kailangan namin may oras po. Kapag gabi na, talagang pabor ako dun kasi para wala nang mga bata para andun na sila sa mga bahay nila," another resident, Peter Clavecillas, said.

VIllage officials of Barangay Damayang Lagi regularly conduct patrols to confront minors found out of their homes from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in accordance with QC Ordinance No. SP 2301 s. 2014 or the Quezon City Discipline Hours for Minors.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said minors found unaccompanied by adults will be brought to the nearest police station for recording before they are turned over to the barangay.

"And ipapatawag 'yung mga magulang para kunin nila," Eleazar said. "Kung walang magulang, sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) ng local government units."

Eleazar previously clarified that loiterers may not be detained or invited to police stations unless they have warrants of arrest.

This followed President Rodrigo Duterte's order to police to nab minors found breaking curfew with other loiterers in the streets. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News