Mandaue starts strict curfew

CEBU, Philippines -  Night activities of minors in Mandaue City will now be limited with the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) strictly implementing the city’s ordinance against loitering.

The ordinance has long been passed but Superintendent Jovito Canlapan, Deputy City Director for Operations of MCPO, said for this year, they started the strict implementation of the anti-loitering for minor ordinance in Mandaue City yesterday evening.

The ordinance prohibits youths ages 18 years old below from wandering in streets from 11 p.m. until 4 in the morning.

All the six police stations in the city are mandated to implement the City Ordinance.

According to Canlapan, in implementing the curfew, those who will be caught will be brought to the police station and will subject for profiling before they are handed over to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).

Canlapan clarified that minors will not be arrested, but will only be informed of the existing ordinance for their guidance.

Since it is the first time to implement the ordinance this year, authorities will not be imposing yet the fine of P500 on those who violate the curfew. Instead, the violators and their parents will be given a first warning.

“Wala man nato sila gi-aresto, ang atua lang is malikay lang sila sa gawas anang orasa unya atong i-turn-over sa atong mga women’s police from different stations aron maistoryahan ang bata ug ang mga ginikanan kon mangabot sila ato na silang warningan naa tay ordinansa,” said Canlapan. 

Law enforcement authorities will be working with the barangay captains for a smooth and orderly implementation of the ordinance.

The MCPO said the strict implementation of ordinance is crucial, especially since they received reports that most of the burglary incidents in the city during the night involved minors.

With this, authorities also urge and appeal to parents to keep track of their children’s activities. 

“Sa mga ginikanan diha ato lang likayan nga atong mga bata magsuroy-suroy og gabie para makalikay ug maka-eskwela og tarong inig ka buntag,” Canlapan added.

Earlier, incoming president Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his plan to implement a nationwide curfew. (FREEMAN)