ILOILO City – Minors are no longer allowed outdoors from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. in this city.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently adjusted the curfew time for minors from the previous 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
There is a growing concern over the increasing number of disturbances involving minors, the SP pointed out. These disturbances usually occur between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
There is also a need to curb coronavirus transmission by limiting the non-essential movement of minors during the said hours, the SP added.
Fifty-two minors were apprehended on Tuesday night for violating the new curfew hours.
Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, director of the Iloilo City Police Office, and Task Force on Moral and Values Formation head Nestor Canong spearheaded the simultaneous, coordinated saturation drive in the barangays of seven city districts.
According to Canong, the minors rounded up were from Jaro district (26), City Proper (9), Mandurriao (9), Arevalo (6), and Molo (2).
Most violators were caught playing computer games at internet cafes, Canong said.
“They were even using their school study modules as alibis,” he added.
Canong said his task force has started profiling minors to determine how many times they violate the curfew.
“We will file charges against parents nga nagpabaya sa ila kabataan,” said Canong.
The task force head also warned internet cafe owners who accept minors during curfew hours. They may also face charges./PN