WV police director supports
lowered age of crime liability

Alarmed by the increased involvement of youth in crimes and other illegal activities, Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional police director of Western Visayas, yesterday expressed support for the proposed amendment of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, that will lower the age of discernment for criminal liability.

The House of Representatives recently approved amendments to Juvenile Act, which is now House Bill 6052, that states, among others, that children aging 12 years and above, who commit crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, rape or robbery will be penalized.

With the increasing number of minor offenders, Cruz said it is high time that the amendment to the Juvenile Act should be considered.

A police study shows that some juveniles are getting bolder and braver in committing criminal acts because they know that they will eventually be set free, or not turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

HB 6052, which is also co-authored by Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District), aims to deter the exploitation of youth offenders by providing stiffer penalties to persons who take advantage of, or profits from the use of children in committing a crime.

Cruz said the youthful offenders are confident in committing crimes because they are aware that they cannot be placed behind bars.

Of the 50 cases involving male minors, Negros Occidental ranked second with 17 cases, compared to 21 of Iloilo province, Capiz – 6, Aklan – 4, and one each in Antique and Guimaras, PRO-6 records show.

On abuse of young girls, 17 of them are victims of molestation, one each for acts of lasciviousness and sexual exploitation, while two others had been physically abused, its records added.*GPB

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Two ‘pushers’
elude arrest

Two alleged elusive drug pushers evaded arrest by escaping through a back door during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Bacolod City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group at about 3:45 p.m. in Brgy. 2, this city yesterday.

CAIDSOTG head, Supt. Santiago Rapiz, identified those who fled as Tomas Balandra, 57, and his cousin, Quirino Barber Jr., 56, of Purok Sigay in Brgy. 2.

Rapiz, however, said that even if the two were not apprehended, they are now in the watch list of CAIDSOTG on information that they are into the illegal drugs trade.

He said that Balandra and Barber ran to their house when they noticed that they are dealing with policemen and were able to escape.

The police seized P8,550 in cash inside a Tupperware container, an elongated plastic sachet of suspected shabu, two big empty plastic sachets with residue of the banned substance, and a pair of scissors in the suspects’ house, a police record showed.

Illegal drug sale charges will be filed against Balandra and Barber.*APN

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Trike passenger
held-up: BCPO

An unidentified man held up a trisikad passenger at about 4:30 a.m. Monday and took her bag, at B.S. Aquino Drive, Bacolod City.

Laura Lee Mercado, 20, of Abada Escay, Brgy. Granada, Bacolod, said she was riding a trisikad going to Purok Kagaykay in Brgy. 2 when the suspect blocked her way.

Mercado said the suspect threatened her with a knife, declared a hold-up, took her bag, that contained two cellular phones valued at P6,500, a gift check worth P500 and P4,000 in cash, and fled on foot towards Purok Sigay in Brgy. 2.

Senior Insp. Robert Dejucos, Station 2 chief, said they are investigating the case. However, Mercado failed to describe the suspect.

Meanwhile, Station 9 commander, Chief Insp. Placido Gentoleo, reported the arrest of William Dolar, “alias Bornok” of Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod at his house at about 3:45 p.m. yesterday.

Gentoleo said Dolar was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant for theft, issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 6 Judge Abraham Bayona, who set his bail at P10,000.

He said Dolar is also tagged in the series of robbery and snatching incidents in Brgy. Sum-ag.*APN

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