86 ‘children in conflict with the law’ in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Social Welfare and Development Office recorded 86 cases of “children in conflict with the law” in the city last year.
    CSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan said that 62 of the cases were unfiled while 24 cases were filed with the corresponding courts in the city.
    She SAID offenses committed by the CICL were physical injuries with 21 cases followed by theft with 16, slight physical injuries – 14 cases, violation of Republic Act (RA) 10883 or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 – 8 cases, violation of RA 8363 or the Anti-Rape Law – 6 cases, violation of 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act – 5 cases, violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act – 4 cases, acts of lasciviousness – 3 cases, robbery, frustrated murder and violation of RA 9995 – 2 cases each and murder or homicide, sexual assault and violation of RA 9165 – 1 case each.

    The CSWDO official said 79 of those involved in CICL cases were  males of 92 percent while seven were females or around eight percent.
    According to her, 53 offenders belonged to the 12-15 years old category, 31 belong to the 16-17 years old category, and 2 belong to the 9-11 years old category.
Bulayungan added that 72 individuals had been subjected to the prescribed community-based intervention, 6 others underwent the center-based intervention, 3 children went through the community-based diversion, 2 children went through the center-based diversion and after care program while 1 person was subjected to appropriate disposition by the CSWDO.

    She noted 61 were living with their families, 12 children were turned over or discharged, eight  at the center and five referred to other local social welfare and development offices.
    Last year,  cases committed by the CICL were bullying, violation of RA 9165; in 2023, the common cases were theft, physical injuries and theft while in 2022, the top committed cases were again theft, physical injuries and theft.
    Among barangays with high recorded CICL cases are Irisan with 5 followed by Bakakeng Central, Balsigan, Loakan Proper, Pinget, Pinsao Proper and Sto. Tomas Proper with – 4 cases each.
 

    The CSWDO recorded some 82 CICL cases in 2022 before it increased to 94 cases in 2023 and eventually dropped to 86 cases last year.  -- PIO