While drug-related offenses increase: Overall CICL cases decline

CEBU, Philippines — There has been a “slight” decline in the number of children in conflict with the law (CICL) during the first half of 2026.

This is according to the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), which also reported that violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act continued to account for the largest share of offenses.

Speaking during the Hisgutan Ta media forum, Police Lieutenant Ritchil Tesoro, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the CPPO, said 105 CICL cases were recorded from January 1 to July 13, 2026, a 2.78-percent decrease from the 108 cases reported during the same period last year.

Despite the slight decline in overall cases, drug-related offenses increased significantly.

Tesoro said violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act rose by 34.09 percent, from 39 cases in 2025 to 54 cases this year. These included possession, sale, and other drug-related offenses, which accounted for more than half of all recorded CICL cases.

Among other crimes, robbery cases increased from five to seven. Meanwhile, rape cases declined from 12 to seven, homicide cases dropped from five to three, and murder cases decreased from four to two.

Data also showed that most of the children involved were between 15 and 17 years old. Seventeen-year-olds accounted for the highest number of cases at 35, followed by 16-year-olds with 34 and 15-year-olds with 25. Only two cases involved children aged seven and 11.

Boys comprised the overwhelming majority of the cases, with 99 of the 105 children involved being male, while only six cases involved females.

Tesoro said the issue of CICL has gained renewed attention following the recent school shooting in Tacloban City involving minors.

She said bullying and the influence of social media are among the factors that may contribute to violent behavior among children, urging parents to closely monitor their children's activities, peer groups, and online exposure.

“Many children today spend considerable time on social media, online games, and other digital platforms, where they may be exposed to violent content or harmful influences,” Tesoro said.

Tesoro added that parents should also watch for warning signs such as repeated threats, aggression, bullying, bringing weapons, an unhealthy fixation on violence or revenge, sudden behavioral changes, or social withdrawal.

She emphasized that while these warning signs do not automatically indicate that a child will become violent, they should never be ignored.

Parents, she said, should communicate with their children, closely supervise their activities, coordinate with school officials when necessary, and seek assistance from counselors or mental health professionals.

To help prevent youth crime, the CPPO continues to implement various intervention and community-based programs.

These include Oplan Bisita Eskwela (BES), which sends police officers to schools to conduct safety lectures and strengthen community engagement, and Pito Laban sa Abuso, which encourages children and abuse victims to use whistles to quickly seek police assistance.

The police also highlighted the A.N.A.K. Program of the Danao City Component Police Station, which provides support services for street children, and Project HUG of the Carcar City Component Police Station, which distributes donated toys, clothing, and educational materials to foster trust between children and police officers.

Other initiatives include house-to-house visits, barangay dialogues, child awareness campaigns, responsible parenting seminars, and case conferences.

Tesoro added that Cebu Province currently has 30 local government-operated holding facilities for CICL, as well as rehabilitation centers managed by partner institutions.

She underscored the importance of community participation in preventing incidents similar to the Tacloban school shooting.

She said anyone who becomes aware of a credible threat or concerning behavior should report it promptly and inform a teacher, school principal, guidance counselor, or other school official. Parents or guardians should also be notified.

She further said that if there is an immediate risk of harm, the priority should always be to ensure everyone's safety by contacting the Philippine National Police through the 911 hotline and following the school's emergency procedures. — (FREEMAN)