AKLAN – Kalibo mayor Juris Bautista Sucro ordered the police, barangay public safety officers and tanods to strictly enforce the curfew for minors.
Sucro issued Executive Order No. 44 on May 10 to enforce Municipal Ordinance No. 2018-039 following alarming cases of crimes against property and persons committed by minors.
Minors are prohibited from being outside their residences and staying in public places from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. unless accompanied by their parents or guardians. If authorities have a “well-founded belief” that the latter is not who they claim to be, police can question them to verify their relationship with the minor.
School activities are limited to 9:30 p.m. unless the whole activity should last the following day and confined in the campus.
“But in all cases, the school administrator shall file a notification to the police authorities, with a copy furnished to the municipal mayor and the punong barangay where the school is situated, of their intention to conduct such activities,” read part of the directive.
Minors violating the curfew will be escorted by authorities and turned over to their parents or guardians or to the nearest holding facility.
The police would also step up their visibility and patrols at night.
The mayor issued the order after a sling bow attack on a tricycle driver while waiting for a passenger, and on a teenage boy who was buying food.
A 22-year-old suspect, Gio Cuales, was arrested by the Kalibo police.
Cuales admitted being responsible for the attacks but claimed the two victims were not the real targets.
“The group of Cuales was disappointed upon not seeing their target, causing them to indiscriminately fire their slingshots,” said Kalibo police chief Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bontogon. (With a report from Rappler.com)/PN
