400 children were rescued from Manila streets during Mayor Isko Domagoso’s surprise curfew on minors’ inspection last night until the early morning of Tuesday.
Some of the minors were “Batang hamog” who were caught getting drunk and roaming the streets during the late hours of the night.
Some also caught getting high using solvent, a substance that causes a euphoric effect similar to alcohol and marijuana. Solvents are cheap and can be easily bought by children in nearby stores.
Most of the “Batang hamog” say they take solvent to fight and forget hunger. The addictive substance was cheaper than three times a day meal.
Mayor Isko signed the City Ordinance No. 8547 on Monday to strictly re-implement the curfew hours in the city.
“We have to put order in the streets of Manila. Effective today, tonight, agad agad (immediately)” Moreno said in an interview.
The memorandum stated that anyone below 18 years old was not allowed to loiter, wander or stand by in public areas within Manila from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The memorandum cited that “police reports and statistics showed that breach of peace and order of the city at this time are caused by minors roaming around the city.”
Curfew on minors, parents may be penalized
Mayork Isko reminded and warned parents that they need to discipline their children or else, they will face punishment.
“This is a reminder to you, that the City of Manila will hold you responsible,” said Mayor Isko in Filipino.
Parents whose child (15 to 17 years old) gets arrested will need to pay P2,000 or spend a month in jail.
Parents of 13 to 14-year-old teens will have P3,000 or three months in prison while parents of minors 12 years of age and below will face six-month imprisonment or a P5,000 penalty fee.
Mayor Isko Domagoso is known for his clearing operations in Metro Manila.