PUNISHMENT. Minor-offenders doing a clean-up activity in Maasin City, Southern Leyte in this Dec. 9, 2023 photo. The city government has required the 20 minors engaged in a recent riot to do community service as punishment. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Nacional Mercado)
TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Maasin City in Southern Leyte has required 20 minors engaged in a recent riot to do community service as punishment.
Mayor Nacional Mercado said the teens, aged 14 to 17, are facing complaints for ensuing a disturbance last Dec. 1, during the opening salvo of activities for Christmas festivities in the Southern Leyte capital.
“As much as we want to impose a much higher penalty for the offense committed as the general public would encourage us to do so, we are always guided and bounded by the law,” Mercado said on Tuesday, citing that they need to consider the sanctions imposed under Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
The minors have been identified through a case conference by the city social welfare and development office and the city police station-women and children protection desk.
After their identification, the city officials talked to them in the presence of their parents and guardians. They agreed for the offenders to do community service for three consecutive Saturdays or on December 9, 16 and 23, as penalty.
Accompanied by their parents and guardians, the teens need to do a two-hour clean-up service starting at 8 a.m. at the Maasin City Plaza and city gymnasium, and coastal clean-up at the reclamation area up to the bus terminal.
Mercado said it is not only the duty of the government to prevent public disturbances committed by minors since this also needs the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders, including parents and guardians, to maintain and promote peace and respect in communities. (PNA)
