‘Prevent overcrowding in youth centers’

MANILA, Philippines — To prevent overcrowding in youth shelters, the Philippine National Police is coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as minors are being rounded up for violation of curfew hours in Metro Manila, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said yesterday.

“Our goal is to protect the youth, not overwhelm the system. By working closely with DSWD, we ensure that rescued minors receive proper care without straining our shelters,” Nartatez said in a statement.

The initiative came after stakeholders expressed concern that Bahay Pag-asa facilities might get congested if hundreds of minors are simultaneously caught violating curfew hours.

At least 4,315 minors have so far been rounded up as police and barangay officials intensify the enforcement of ordinances under the Safer Cities initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The Children’s Legal Rights and Development Center urged the DILG to reconsider its blanket curfew for minors as it expressed concern that this might lead to arbitrary arrests and abuse of at-risk children.