By Charissa Luci-Atienza The Department of Social Welfare and Development warned local chief executives on Monday, May 11, against imposing penalties to children who are found violating curfew during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). DSWD Assistant Secretary for Policy and Plans Joseline P. Niwane said even as the ECQ is set to lapse on May 15, they are closely monitoring the situation of minors who have violated the curfew. She said the Department is in close contact with local government units to ensure that the rights of minor-curfew violators are not violated. “Meron na kami ngayong JJWC (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council), gumawa na po ng guidelines para sa ganun na kahit lumabag ang mga kabataan sa rules, ay sila pa rin ay asikasuhin at mangyari pa rin ang kanilang rights ay hindi naba-violate (We now have a JJWC, guidelines have been drafted so that even though the youth violate the ECQ rules, they will still be taken care of. We will ensure that their rights are not violated.),” she said in a television interview. “Our monitoring is ongoing,” she assured. Niwane said local social welfare and development officers have been tasked to ensure the rights and welfare of youth curfew violators are safeguarded and promoted. “‘Yung ating mga local social welfare officers sila po ang in-charge na siguraduhin ang ating mga kabataan ay hindi po maabuso o kaya maibalik sa kanilang tahanan na mabuti (Our local social welfare officers are in-charge of ensuring that young people will not be abused and will be returned to their respective homes safely),” she said. Almost a month ago, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Statutory Programs Glenda D. Relova urged the public to keep an eye on the “signs and symptoms” of child abuse during ECQ, as child rights group Save the Children Philippines raised alarm that children and the youth are facing “cruel and degrading” treatment for violating the quarantine protocols. “It is everyone’s responsibility to be vigilant and recognize signs and symptoms of abuse within our family and community,” she told the Manila Bulletin. She encouraged the public to report cases of abuse against the minors and children, even as she expressed government’s readiness to address their concerns. “Reporting cases of abuse is challenging during ECQ, but the government as well as our international and private partners on child protection are always ready to respond,” Relova said. “We provided different hotlines and social media platforms for the public to report incidents of abuse,” she pointed out. In a statement, Albert Muyot, chief executive officer of Save the Children Philippines, had called on all local government officials to adhere to the Joint Memorandum Circular issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Council for the Welfare of Children that clearly defines the procedure in handling children who are caught violating the quarantine guidelines. The circular provides that children who are caught violating the quarantine protocols should be brought to their place of residence or released to the custody of their parents, without being penalized. The child rights group condemned the string of reported violations against children and youth. This included the arrest of a 15-year-old boy in Pandacaqui, Pampanga on April 5 who witnessed individuals who were forced to kiss each other and do a sexy dance as punishment for violating the curfew. On March 20, five young people were locked inside a dog cage in Santa Cruz, Laguna for violating curfew rules. Six days after, two children, who were also curfew violators, suffered the same fate after they were locked in a coffin in Cavite. On March 19, four boys and four girls were also reportedly arrested in Binondo, Manila for violating the curfew. Reports said the hair of seven of the children were forcibly cut, while the one who protested was was stripped naked and ordered to walk home. Last month, the DSWD issued an advisory, calling on barangays and the Philipine National Police (PNP) to ensure that “no children will be left unaccompanied, separated, or abandoned” during the imposition of ECQ. “In anticipation to the possible arrest/apprehension of designated family members, who may be family heads, for violating the enhanced community quarantine rules, all law enforcement officers, including barangay tanod and police officers, etc., should ensure that no children will be left unaccompanied, separated, or abandoned by their parents and adult caregivers,” read the DSWD’s advisory posted on its official Facebook page. Among those who were arrested for curfew violations, reports said, were children’s caregivers, including a mother in Tacloban City who was apprehended on March 24 for allowing her children to play outdoors. DSWD said authorities should immediately inform the local welfare and development officers (LSWDOs) about the arrest of children’s parents or caregivers “for immediate intervention.” “The local welfare and development officers (LSWDOs) should immediately be notified of any reported unaccompanied, separated, or abandoned children for immediate intervention, such as but not limited to provision of temporary protective custody either in LGU-run/nearby accredited NGO facilities, foster or kinship care arrangement, whichever is feasible for the best interest and welfare of children,” it said. The Department also asked the public to do their share and report those unaccompanied, separated, or abandoned children. “For reports of unaccompanied, separated, or abandoned children, please contact the nearest LSWDO in your locality. You may also call the DSWD hotline at 8-931-9141 or contact us thru DSWD’s official FB and Twitter accounts, @dswdserves,” it said.