ILOILO City – “Students, stay away from criminal gangs. Stay away from illegal drugs.”
That was Police Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, spokesperson of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), making a public appeal to students.
She said students, especially those between 13 to 17 years old, are “most vulnerable” for recruitment by gangs “because of curiosity.”
“Madali gid sila ma-convince,” said Sangrines.
Classes have resumed for school year 2019-2020. Sangrines said the ICPO is monitoring the movements of criminal gangs. They could be preparing for recruitment activities, she said.
The ICPO has started coordinating with schools authorities. Two practical measures schools can take, said Sangrines, are preventing students from cutting classes and regularly informing parents of their children’s school activities.
“We plan to hold lectures in schools. Students must be informed about the negative effects of joining gangs. We also monitor school-based fraternities,” said Sangrines.
But schools can only do so much. Parents have the most important role and that is to make their children feel they are loved, she stressed; this way, children won’t seek solace elsewhere.
“Youths seek recognition and attention. If they can’t find this at home they may look for it from other people or groups some of whom may be a bad influence,” said Sangrines./PN
