50 Minors in Cordillera Jails

At least 50 minors are languishing in different jails in the Cordillera region, Northern Luzon, jail officials revealed last week. Of   these, 26 are undergoing trial in Baguio City’s courts for crimes with some cases as heinous as rape.

By Lyn V. Ramo
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY - At least 50 juveniles are languishing in different jails in the Cordillera region, northern Luzon, officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) revealed at the Kapihan Hour with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE) last week.

Of  these, 26 are undergoing trial in this city’s courts for crimes some of which are as heinous as rape. Trials may be suspended against the minor offenders, as provided for by Philippine penal laws.

However, an official of the Parole and Probation Administration in the region said that no government agency is taking care of minor offenders at present. Lawyer Miguel Cawi, city jail warden, said that even local social welfare authorities admitted that they have no facility for the rehabilitation of minors.

The basement of the city jail serves as detention units for minors. Cawi said there are young detainees who have been behind bars for as long as two years.

Meanwhile, Parole and Probation Regional Director Imelda Capili hopes that the country’s present fragmented criminal justice system would create one office to handle the juveniles’ cases.

Three departments handle correctional cases at present. These are, according to Capili, the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DOJ handles parole cases, correctional, correctional institution for women and the penal colonies; the provincial jails are directly under the provincial governor; and minor offenders are handled by the DSWD.

"Sana iisa na lang" (I wish only one department handles all these), Capili said, adding that no agency is taking care of juvenile delinquents.

Social welfare officer Liza Bulayungan said that her office gives follow-up care once the detainees are released from jail.

Two branches of the Regional Trial Court, Branches 4 and 59 under Judge Amado S. Caguioa and   Judge Illuminada C. Cortes, respectively, handle cases against youth offenders. Northern Dispatch / Bulatlat

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