Bacolod cops to strictly implement curfew for minors

MANILA, Philippines - Police in Bacolod City will revive and strictly implement a curfew for minors in a bid to prevent crimes in the city, online news site Visayan Daily Star has reported. Acting city police director Supt. Leo Irwin Agpangan said the 10 police stations of the Bacolod City Police Office will bring into custody youths under 18 loitering in public areas after 10 p.m. City Ordinance No. 331 prohibits minors from loitering in public areas after 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day. Exceptions include those who are accompanied by their parents or adults who can vouch for their safety, the ordinance said. Agpangan said the revival of stricter enforcement of the regulation is aimed at preventing crimes in Bacolod. He noted that several crimes in the city, including thefts, were perpetrated by teenagers, like the burglary at the Lopue's Department Store earlier this month. The preventive measure is also a response to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which prohibits persons under 18 from being detained, Agpangan said. - GMANews.TV