Fifty minors in Cordillera prisons 05-10-23

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 23, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Fifty minors in Cordillera prisons
BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 17) — At least 50 minors are languishing in different jails in the region, officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) disclosed at the Kapihan Hours with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE) today. Of these, 26 are undergoing trial in Baguio City courts for crimes some of which are as heinous as rape. Trials may be suspended against minor offenders, as provided for by Philippine penal laws. However, an official of the Parole and Probation Administration in the region said that no appropriate body is taking care of minor offenders at present. Atty. Miguel Cawi, Baguio City Jail warden, disclosed that even the city social welfare office admitted that it has no facility for the rehabilitation of minors thus 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 present fragmented criminal justice system of the country take a new form by creating just one office to handle the cases with uniformity. At present three departments handle correctional cases alone. Capili was referring to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DOJ should look into parole, correctional, correctional institution for women and the penal colonies; the provincial jails are directly under the provincial governor; and minor offender’s under 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. The city social welfare office is aware of the presence of youth offenders in the city jail according to social welfare officer Liza Bulayungan. She said that her office provides follow-up care once the detainees are released. Bulayungan said that a network of juvenile justices regularly discusses the case of these juvenile delinquents. Two branches of the Regional Trial Court, Banches 4 and 59 under Judge Amado S. Caguioa and Judge Illuminada C. Cortes, respectively take care of cases against youth offenders. Cawi said that Caguioa has ordered him to submit a list of youth detainees for proper recommendation. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 23, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Fifty minors in Cordillera prisons
BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 17) — At least 50 minors are languishing in different jails in the region, officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) disclosed at the Kapihan Hours with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE) today. Of these, 26 are undergoing trial in Baguio City courts for crimes some of which are as heinous as rape. Trials may be suspended against minor offenders, as provided for by Philippine penal laws. However, an official of the Parole and Probation Administration in the region said that no appropriate body is taking care of minor offenders at present. Atty. Miguel Cawi, Baguio City Jail warden, disclosed that even the city social welfare office admitted that it has no facility for the rehabilitation of minors thus 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 present fragmented criminal justice system of the country take a new form by creating just one office to handle the cases with uniformity. At present three departments handle correctional cases alone. Capili was referring to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DOJ should look into parole, correctional, correctional institution for women and the penal colonies; the provincial jails are directly under the provincial governor; and minor offender’s under 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. The city social welfare office is aware of the presence of youth offenders in the city jail according to social welfare officer Liza Bulayungan. She said that her office provides follow-up care once the detainees are released. Bulayungan said that a network of juvenile justices regularly discusses the case of these juvenile delinquents. Two branches of the Regional Trial Court, Banches 4 and 59 under Judge Amado S. Caguioa and Judge Illuminada C. Cortes, respectively take care of cases against youth offenders. Cawi said that Caguioa has ordered him to submit a list of youth detainees for proper recommendation. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next