By Merlina Hernando-Malipot Save the Children Philippines (SCP) called on local officials to “adhere to existing laws on the proper treatment of children and youth.” This call was made after reported rights violations committed against children found to be out of their homes beyond curfew guidelines under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A child uses a tablet as he watches a video posted on the internet in Quezon City, February 28, 2019.
(MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Lawyer Alberto Muyot, SCP Chief Executive Officer, expressed grave concern on the reports of “cruel and degrading” treatment of minors who were arrested for allegedly violating the government’s quarantine measures. Save the Children Philippines is affiliated with the world’s leading independent children’s organization that has been helping children in the Philippines for more than three decades. “Children’s right to protection from all forms of violence should be a priority,” said Muyot who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd). Muyot called on all local government officials to adhere to the Joint Memorandum Circular issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) that “clearly defines the procedure in handling children who are caught violating the quarantine guidelines.” The circular, SCP explained, mandates that “no penalty shall be imposed on children who are caught violating the quarantine; instead they should be brought to their place of residence or released to the custody of their parents.” This, SCP added, is in line with Section Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare. Reports of alleged child abuse amid ECQ SCP noted that it has been monitoring reported incidents of abuse involving children who are caught violating ECQ guidelines. In Pampanga, for instance, SCP noted that a 15-year old boy was reportedly arrested last Sunday along with three lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals for violating curfew guidelines. According to reports, the LGBTQI+ individuals were forced to kiss and dance as a humiliating form of punishment. Additionally, SCP cited that two (2) children were also reportedly placed inside a coffin in Cavite last March 26 as punishment for violating curfew rules. Local officials also reportedly placed five (5) young people inside a dog cage on March 20 in Santa Cruz town in Laguna Province for violating curfew rules. SCP noted that four (4) boys and four girls were also reportedly mistreated after being arrested in Binondo, Manila on March 19 for violating the curfew. “Local officials were reported to have forcibly cut the hair of seven of the children while the one who resisted was stripped naked and ordered to walk home,” the group added. While local officials have the “duty to implement” curfew guidelines as part of the ECQ, SCP believes but these measures “must be in accordance with applicable laws protecting the rights of children.”