Cops on alert vs gangs in schools

CEBU, Philippines — With the proliferation of gangs that are reportedly recruiting minor students in Mandaue City, authorities are now taking proactive stance to crack down on gangs.

With the opening of classes last Monday, teenage groups are reportedly prowling areas near schools to recruit minors into their ranks.

To ensure the safety and protection of students, the Mandaue City Police Office and the Department of Education-Mandaue assured to address problems like gang wars involving students, and gang recruitment in public schools.

Superintendent Jimmy Aguisanda, MCPO deputy city director for operations, said police are monitoring on fraternities recruiting minors and conducting hazing activities following previous reports on physical injuries and shooting involving gang members.

He was referring to the April 9 incident wherein a 12-year-old female “gang member” was killed while her companion was injured after a person who belongs to a rival gang fired at them in Barangay Alang-Alang, Mandaue City.

"As much as possible monitor (ta) sa mga students in coordination with the school authorities," Aguisanda said.

Out-of-school youth is also being monitored, he said.

Aguisanda said they are intensifying their visibility and enforcing the city’s curfew ordinance to prevent gang-related activities.

"We directed all station commanders to coordinate with their barangay leaders," he said.

The city’s DepEd Assistant Schools Superintendent Estella Susvilla said each school has a guidance counselor who is responsible for looking after the students’ welfare.

"We have designated guidance counselors. We see to it that the guidance counselor programs are functional in every school. They will have time to talk to the parents and to students to keep them aware nga dili gyud sila mo-join aning mga gang kay wala gyud sila'y mahimo ana," Susvilla said.

Susvilla said the impacts of joining a gang are even integrated into the values and formation subjects to discourage students from joining gangs.

She said the issue will also be discussed during the general Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting within the week. — KBQ (FREEMAN)