POLICE do not arrest but “rescue” minors violating curfew hours, Quezon City Police Chief Superintendent Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. clarified Wednesday, June 27, following the stricter implementation of local ordinances. “Ang pulis hindi actually nagkukulong ng bata, bawal yun eh (Police cannot actually imprison minors, that’s illegal),” Mr. Esquivel said in a press briefing, noting that the police have been mandated to protect the youth by no less than the President. He said they are particularly looking at “children in conflict with the law,” which includes those being used by “criminal minds” for their activities such as illegal drug dealing. The city police reported that for the period June 13-26, there were 679 minors rounded up for violating curfew hours. Total arrests reached 3,057, including those drinking in public places, smoking, being half-naked, and other specific ordinances. Of these, 1,835 were given a warning, 35 were fined, and the remaining 1,187 were charged. Mr. Esquivel said the minors caught were among those who were only given warnings. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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