‘Juvies’ face average of 3 cases – DSWD

MANILA, Philippines - A child in conflict with the law (CICL), sometimes called a juvenile delinquent or “juvie,” faces three criminal cases on the average, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said yesterday that from January to November, the agency has 589 children brought to 21 rehabilitation centers all over the country.

Most of them have been charged with theft, physical injuries and robbery, she said.

 “These have the most reported cases (faced by the CICLs). These CICLs are those we see sniffing (model airplane glue) and then snatch bags and jewelry,” Soliman said.

Soliman is confident that the Bahay Pagasa rehabilitation centers can reform these children.

“We have cases of former CICLs donating things and supplies to these Bahay Pagasas because they want to express their gratitude for the new lives they were able to lead after rehabilitation,” she said.

DSWD is promoting public sympathy and support for CICLs to change and lead new lives under their “Road to Diversion” program.

The campaign is also in line with the move of the DSWD to oppose calls to lower the age of discernment from the current 16 years to 12 years.