CICL AND CAR NEWS RELATED COMPILATION

Name: Airon John G. Villojan Date: September 25, 2023

Course/Section: SW-46 Instructor: Ms. Claudette A. Almadin-Macuta

CICL NEWS

Headline: Minors now account for most theft and robbery incidents in Carcar City
Writer: Pegeen Maisie M. Sararaña
Date Published: June 18,2022
Link: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/448201/minors-now-account-for-most-theft-and-
robbery-incidents-in-carcar-city
Summary
The increase in juvenile criminality in Carcar City, Philippines, is a growing concern for
local authorities, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Ardioleto Cabagnot, the chief of
Carcar City Police Station. Cabagnot's statement comes after a reported theft involving
three minors who stole items from a burger stall in the city. Minors, he says, are now
responsible for a significant portion of theft and robbery incidents in the city, many of them
allegedly involved in drug abuse and ranging in age from 11 to 17 years old.
While specific figures were not provided, Cabagnot mentioned that investigators have
identified the three minor suspects and have alerted the city's Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD). These minors had been rescued previously and
placed under the care of the DSWD, but they were later released. Cabagnot noted that
the DSWD lacked the necessary resources and facilities to provide adequate support for
such cases.
Initially considering filing formal complaints against the parents of the three boys, the
police discovered that their parents were in jail for illegal drug offenses, leaving the boys
to fend for themselves on the streets, commonly referred to as 'libod-suroy.'
In response to the rise in juvenile criminality, the police plan to increase their presence in
the city, especially at night, to enhance visibility and deter criminal activities. Cabagnot
expressed hope that the incoming administration would prioritize addressing juvenile
criminality and provide better facilities and support for Children in Conflict with the Law
(CICL) in Carcar City. He also called on the community to remain vigilant and report any
suspicious activities or individuals to the police promptly.
Headline: 3 men arrested, 2 minors rescued in anti-illegal gambling operation in
Muntinlupa
Writer: JONATHAN HICAP
Date Published: Sep 15, 2022
Link: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/3-men-arrested-2-minors-rescued-in-anti-illegal-
gambling-operation-in-muntinlupa/
Summary
Three men were arrested, and two children in conflict with the law (CICL) were rescued
by Muntinlupa police in an anti-illegal gambling operation on September 14. The arrested
individuals are Arjohn Callao (29), Tristan Balaguer (40), and Ronald Topaze (39), while
the CICL were aged 16 and 17. The police received a tip from a concerned citizen about
illegal gambling involving a game called "cara y cruz" with bet money. During the
operation, P1,000 in bet money and an illegal .38-caliber firearm with two live ammunition
rounds were seized from Callao. The men will face charges for violating Presidential
Decree 1602 (illegal gambling), and Callao will also be charged with violating Republic
Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) for illegal
possession of a firearm and ammunition. The two CICL were placed under the care of
Bahay Pag-asa, in accordance with Republic Act 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act
of 2006).

Headline: Bulacan gov’t inaugurates new youth rehabilitation center

Writer: FREDDIE VELEZ
Date Published: December 31,2022
Link: https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/30/bulacan-govt-inaugurates-new-youth-rehabilitation-
center
Summary
The provincial government of Bulacan has officially opened the Tanglaw ng Pag-asa
Youth Rehabilitation Center (TPYRC) in the City of Malolos, Bulacan, aimed at guiding
youth in conflict with the law (CICL) towards a better future. The center, led by Bulacan
Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, boasts upgraded
facilities, including dormitories, a library, clinic, prayer room, activity area, and more, with
a capacity for 200 individuals aged 15 to 18. TPYRC's programs focus on socially
constructive and reproductive behavior development. The center has seen a decrease in
the number of youths staying there, from 150 in 2018 to 55 this year. The government is
committed to providing psychosocial and therapeutic programs to help CICL become
functional members of society, offering education, legal assistance, health services, and
more. TPYRC is the only facility of its kind in the region, managed and funded by the
provincial government of Bulacan.
Headline: School bullies may be victims of abuse at home: psychologist
Writer: Anjo Bagaoisan
Date Published: January 30, 2023
Link: https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/30/23/school-bullies-may-be-victims-of-
abuse-at-home-psychologist
Summary
Psychologist Dr. Camille Garcia suggests that children and teenagers who engage in
abusive behavior at school may themselves be victims of abuse in their homes or
communities. She points out that incidents of bullying and physical attacks among young
students have become more prevalent since the return to face-to-face classes in mid-
2022, possibly due to accumulated anger and deep-seated issues resulting from the two-
year lockdown period. The lockdowns may have exposed some youth to abuse that they
later projected onto others, such as their classmates.
Incidents of youth violence in schools have been reported, with some leading to fatalities,
including recent cases at the Ateneo de Davao University. Data from the Women and
Children Protection Center (WCPC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) indicate an
increase in crimes committed by children in conflict with the law (CICL) in schools in 2022,
although there is no consistent upward trend in such cases. The most common CICL
cases in schools in 2022 were child abuse, rape, and less serious physical injury.
Garcia suggests that the lack of face-to-face interaction and shallow social relationships
among children during the pandemic may contribute to some resorting to violence. She
emphasizes the importance of parents instilling discipline and proper behavior in their
children and encourages teachers to use the homeroom period as a platform to address
and resolve issues among students.
The PNP WCPC recommends that students experiencing bullying or violence in school,
along with their parents, approach child protection committees (CPC) in their schools for
assistance. These committees are responsible for identifying and reporting cases of child
abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, and bullying. Additionally, the women and
children protection desks in police stations are available to handle such cases outside of
school.
If family and school interventions fail, the government may step in to assist "at-risk" youth,
offering programs such as anger management and skills development rather than
charges or jail time. The Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to enhancing its
programs for addressing mental health at the school level.
However, a teacher's group highlights the lack of funding for security and guidance
counselors in public schools, which could help prevent further instances of violence and
abuse.
CAR NEWS
Headline: In Philippines, the fight against online sexual abuse of children exposes
tensions between human rights and economic development
Writer: Pallabi Munsi
Date Published: May 9, 2022
Link: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/09/asia/philippines-election-online-sexual-abuse-
as-equals-intl-cmd/index.html
Summary
The Philippines is holding presidential elections with no leading candidates addressing
the issue of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, despite the country being
labeled the "center of child sex abuse materials production in the world" in a 2021 report.
The problem persists due to factors such as widespread internet connectivity and the use
of technology. The country's reliance on business process outsourcing services, including
content moderation for social media platforms where exploitation occurs, adds complexity
to the issue.
While the Anti-Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Bill aims to combat online abuse,
it faces challenges in holding tech companies accountable. The Philippines' significant
economic dependence on these companies creates a tension between human rights and
economic development. Some fear that the bill might not effectively address the systemic
problem of online sexual abuse and exploitation and may inadvertently target
marginalized individuals.
Despite the prevalence of online abuse, presidential candidates have largely focused on
pandemic recovery and economic issues, rather than child protection. The next president
faces the challenge of balancing economic interests with safeguarding children and
holding tech companies accountable for their role in facilitating abuse. However,
skepticism remains about whether any presidential administration can adequately
address these complex issues.

Headline: Almost 9,000 child abuse cases reported in 2022

Writers: Helen Flores, and Janvic Mateo
Date Published: February 5, 2023
Link: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/05/2242694/almost-9000-child-abuse-
cases-reported-
2022?fbclid=IwAR2Fdw1yKcdYR3pfICBU39n4JIkThXKNFqRubr3JAN2Vuk7PYtHkxEqd
WmE
Summary
Last year in the Philippines, nearly 9,000 cases of child abuse were reported, including
incidents within homes, according to data from the Council for the Welfare of Children
(CWC). These cases were identified through women and children protection units in
hospitals across the country, with an additional 43 incidents reported through the
Makabata Helpline 1383. Most of the abuse was directed at adolescents aged 15 to 17,
and the CWC launched the helpline to address child rights violations. The helpline allows
the public to report child abuse through email, text messages, or chat, with the CWC
verifying and referring victims to the appropriate authorities or support specialists.

Headline: US report: Philippines still struggling to protect children from sexual abuse
Writer: Cristina Chi
Date Published: March 22, 2023
Link: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/22/2253599/us-report-philippines-still-
struggling-protect-children-sexual-abuse
Summary
The US State Department's report on the Philippines highlights the country's ongoing
struggle to combat child sexual exploitation due to limited resources for law enforcement.
Challenges include inadequate prosecutorial resources and the capacity to analyze
abusers' computers for evidence. Perpetrators of cybersex activities, including some
relatives of victims, remain undeterred by penalties and government efforts. Child
pornography offenders face penalties ranging from one month to life imprisonment, but
the Philippines still attracts child sex tourists.
Despite government efforts to prosecute pedophiles, deport foreign offenders, and bar
convicted sex offenders from entering, live internet broadcasts of minors engaging in
sexual acts for paying foreigners continue. The report acknowledges the government's
efforts to reduce trauma for child victims by allowing them to defer testifying and
increasing the use of plea agreements in online child sexual exploitation cases.
The report also reveals that from 2021 to 2022, 72% of child abuse cases were of a sexual
nature, with 6,600 cases reported in 2022, up from nearly 6,000 in 2021. The Women and
Children Protection Units (WCPUs), established in health department-retained and local
government-supported hospitals, aim to provide care services for abused children, with
115 WCPUs in 59 provinces currently in operation.