Manila curfew to take effect Thursday

Starting Thursday, the Manila City government will implement the law that imposes curfew on minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily in the country’s capital.

With the curfew in effect, minors 17 years old and below are prohibited to roam the streets without permission from their parents, guardians or barangay captains.

"Everything is set. Curfew will take effect on Thursday," said Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as he said officials in 897 barangays have been given copies of the city ordinance and other implementing guidelines of the curfew.

While the city ordinance mandates seven-days-a-week curfew, Atienza said the measure will be implemented for only five days, Sunday to Thursday. Under the approved ordinance, the mayor has the discretion to suspend the implementation of the curfew.

Atienza said the lifting of curfew hours on weekends and on holidays hope to give teenagers the chance to socialize, which is an important part of growing up.

Under the law, authored by the city’s Sixth District Councilor Julio Logarta Jr., sanction will be limited to a reprimand if the offender is nine years old and below. For those nine to 15 to 17, first time offenders will be ordered to make a written pledge to render community service of not more than two hours.

Second-time offenders will be warned and their community service will be increased to four hours. Third-time offenders will be charged with the City Prosecutor’s Office. If found guilty, violators may be sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined with P2,000 or both.

In pushing for the measure, Logarta said curfew hours could help the police identify delinquent juvenile, who would likely defy the city ordinance.