Scandal of Philippines child prisoners

[Buddy]

Mga ka tf, your comments & suggested solutions sa ganitong situation sa atin. Foreign media pa nakasilip nito...:confused:


Scandal of Philippines child prisoners
6.29PM, Wed Feb 1 2006

ITV News reporter Chris Rogers exposed the shocking conditions endured by vulnerable children jailed in the Philippines but six months later found nothing has changed.
The images of hundreds of Philippine child prisoners held in horrendously overcrowded jails - first highlighted by an ITV News report six months ago - sent shock-waves around the globe and forced the Philippine Government to promise swift action.
The pressure intensified when I was summoned before the US Congress to testify on what I had seen first hand, which launched an investigation into the problem.
But behind the promises it seems the Philippine government was more determined to cover up the abuse of children than bring it to an end.
Six months on I travelled back to the Philippines with ITN camerman Tony Hemmings to see what had changed - only to discover another scandal.
Prison cell after prison cell of broken lives and broken promises.
We found young faces still behind prison bars, hungry, exhausted and terrified.
We uncovered the ongoing abuse posing as aid workers. In one jail the warden allowed us to film. He told us he was ordered to separate children from adult inmates but a tiny crammed cell was the only alternative. He said he hates his job.
The children were stacked like farm animals on to shelves three storeys high.
There wasn't enough room to stand up and even sitting down they had to crouch.
As I handed out food to the young inmates I felt like I was feeding caged animals.
I spotted 13-year-old Carlo, it wasn't the first time we had met. Last year we filmed him in another jail, he'd been there three months but was eventually released.
Now he's behind bars once again, this time accused of stealing a bucket of fish.
He told me the children are allowed out of the cell to exercise for just one hour a week.
We learnt that at the other jails charities are banned from filming in a bid to stop undercover journalism. So we decided to use a hidden camera.
Still posing as charity workers we now risked certain arrest, breaching the security designed to hide child prisoners from the outside world.
Security confiscated our cameras even though we insisted we wanted to film to document urgent cases for a fundraising video.
As we walked through the prison, the number of young hands reaching out for help was overwhelming. We met 12 year old Sarah, accused of shoplifting.
She told me the door to the female cell is left open and male prisoners have harassed her. It would cost her parents a month's wage to bail her out, so Sarah faces weeks here, possibly months behind bars.
The last time we filmed here it was with the hope of helping to alleviate these children's plight by reporting on the conditions they face.
Six months on and despite the Philippine government's promises the situation felt hopeless. All I could do was hand out some food and hope our hidden camera was capturing the abuse that continues.
As I left one jail the prison governor grabbed me and said he was sorry he wouldn't let us take cameras into the cells. Unaware that he was actually referring to my crew, he told me that a British journalist had posed as a charity worker and filmed the jail a few months ago.
"He showed this jail in bad shape, I would lose my job if that happened again," he said.
The scandal was first highlighted by the human rights charity Jubilee Action.
For more information or to make a donation click here (http://www.jubileeaction.co .uk/).

[Uninvited]

Hehehe!Asa CNN.com ang video nito.Watch nyo now para mas malinaw.Pero sa pagkakaalam ko lagi naman subject ng documentaries sa atin ito e.Nanalo pa nga sa UNICEF si Karen Davila last year sa parehong topic.Ewan ko nga lang sa DSWD at sa mga agencies involved.

[adechan]

there is a related thread about this on this thread "BATANG PRESO" (http://www.timog.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233 9)

[Buddy]

@adechan
thanks for giving me idea na may related thread na pala, hindi ko yon nabasa.

@uninvited
naawa lang ako sa mga nakakulong kaya na post ko agad after reading it, thanks anyway.

sa palagay ko dadami lang ito at hindi mababawasan dahil sa sitwasyon sa ating lipunan at kahirapan.

[DaiRyouKoJin]

sa palagay ko dadami lang ito at hindi mababawasan dahil sa sitwasyon sa ating lipunan at kahirapan.

i agree with you...100%!!
wala na atang pag asa dito sa pinas..pulitiko lang ang yumayaman dito...

ayaw ko na talaga dito..ayako na tlaga...

[mcgregor]

ang alam ko mayroong documentary na ipinalabas sa pilipinas sometime last year (or was it in 2004?) tungkol dyan sa mga child prisoners.

it's entitled bunso and it actually made a noise sa atin. it was critically acclaimed kahit sa ibang bansa. it was shown precisely to catch the attention of the people about the plight of child offenders. ang natatandaan ko, namatay pa nga ang isang batang preso.

it's a big problem, indeed. lalo pa't petty crimes, like theft, ang kino-commit nila at kadalasan bunga ng kahirapan kaya napipilitan silang magnakaw. tapos nasasama sila sa mga 'adult prisoners' na hindi dapat kasi nawawalan sila ng pagkakatong makapagbagong-buhay.

nakaka-alarma yung case ni 'sarah(?)' na na-molestya kasi ang selda nya ay naiiwang bukas tapos pinapasok sya ng lalaking preso. :furious:

sa pagkaka-alam ko may pending bills sa kongreso para i-address ang isyung yan. kaya lang syempre, sa takbo ng pulitika sa bansa... hay... :weep:

tapos kahit pa magkaroon ng batas to address the situation, isang usapin na naman ang implementation. lalo na ngayong bangkarote ang gobyerno't walang budget. :ohlord:

anyways, i think malaking tulong ang international media para i-pressure ang gobyerno na aksyunan yang isyung yan. too bad kailangan pang umabot sa ganitong kahihiyan, to put it lightly, bago kumilos ang nasa pamahalaan. :( :mad:

[Tonyang]

Buddy and folks:

Halikayo rito sa http://www.timog.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233 9

at pinag-uusapan na natin kung paano matutulungan ang mga batang preso? Nakita mo na siguro iyung pic? May video ako mula www.preda.org (http://www.preda.org) . Eto iyung retratong galing sa PREDA:

http://www.tpmovers.org/CAUZ2XCPa.jpg

http://www.tpmovers.org/341-DSCN0076a.jpg

Ganyan kalubha ang sitwasyon sa mga kulungan sa atin... madalas silang nare-rape ng mga pedophile dahil isinasama sila sa quarter ng mga matatanda. Kung loko man silang bata, mas inilagay na natin sila sa isang impiyerno para magpakaloko at mawalan na ng loob para mabuhay pa ng maayos. Ang buhay ng mga batang ito ay mahirap at naging loko sila dahil sa kulang sila sa edukasyon at aral ng mga magulang. Sila ay mga biktima ng dahas at kakulangan ng concern sa ating lipunan...

Kung gusto ninyo ng kopya ng video para sa interes na matulungan ang sector na ito, ibibigay ko sa inyo ang kopya na ipinadala sa Tulong Pinoy (www.tpmovers.org (http://www.tpmovers.org)) ng PREDA (www.preda.org (http://www.preda.org)).

Muli, walang discrimination sa forum na ito ha... inilagay kami sa Off-Topic pero itong thread na ito nabuhay sa Community News.

Salamat.


Wala pa po akong anak pero marami na akong napag-aral kaya alam ko rin paano ang pakiramdam ng may anak... pero mas naiiintindihan ng mga may anak ang sitwasyong ito... kaya masuwerte ang inyong mga anak. Sana'y maishare natin ang ganyang blessings sa hindi masusuwerte.

[Tonyang]

ang alam ko mayroong documentary na ipinalabas sa pilipinas sometime last year (or was it in 2004?) tungkol dyan sa mga child prisoners.

it's entitled bunso and it actually made a noise sa atin. it was critically acclaimed kahit sa ibang bansa. it was shown precisely to catch the attention of the people about the plight of child offenders. ang natatandaan ko, namatay pa nga ang isang batang preso.

it's a big problem, indeed. lalo pa't petty crimes, like theft, ang kino-commit nila at kadalasan bunga ng kahirapan kaya napipilitan silang magnakaw. tapos nasasama sila sa mga 'adult prisoners' na hindi dapat kasi nawawalan sila ng pagkakatong makapagbagong-buhay.

nakaka-alarma yung case ni 'sarah(?)' na na-molestya kasi ang selda nya ay naiiwang bukas tapos pinapasok sya ng lalaking preso. :furious:

sa pagkaka-alam ko may pending bills sa kongreso para i-address ang isyung yan. kaya lang syempre, sa takbo ng pulitika sa bansa... hay... :weep:

tapos kahit pa magkaroon ng batas to address the situation, isang usapin na naman ang implementation. lalo na ngayong bangkarote ang gobyerno't walang budget. :ohlord:

anyways, i think malaking tulong ang international media para i-pressure ang gobyerno na aksyunan yang isyung yan. too bad kailangan pang umabot sa ganitong kahihiyan, to put it lightly, bago kumilos ang nasa pamahalaan. :( :mad:

Tingin ko huwag lang tayong tumingin at maging observer sa mga nangyayari... salamat Adechan sa pagli-link sa existing thread sa Batang Preso. Tingin ko better kung tayo mismo kikilos at may gagawin para maintindihan natin ang mga nangyayari sa mga batang ito. Last kong nakausap ang DSWD noong November 2005 patungkol sa presidential task force na binuo na pinamumunuan ng Dept of Justice at member ang DSWD at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Buddy, baka gusto mong makiisa para may magawa tayong isang samahan dito sa mga Pilipino sa Japan para matulungan kahit iilan na mga batang preso.

[aprilluck]

Nakakaiyak naman ang nakita ko na ito,Lalo ko tuloy naisip na baka wala ng pag-asang makabangon ang Pilipinas.Saan na napunta ang pag-asa? "Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan" ,Paano kung ang mga kabataan ay ganito ang kasasadlakan ....
.................... .....Maibabangon ka pa kaya Inang Bayan?

[aprilluck]

Tingin ko huwag lang tayong tumingin at maging observer sa mga nangyayari... salamat Adechan sa pagli-link sa existing thread sa Batang Preso. Tingin ko better kung tayo mismo kikilos at may gagawin para maintindihan natin ang mga nangyayari sa mga batang ito. Last kong nakausap ang DSWD noong November 2005 patungkol sa presidential task force na binuo na pinamumunuan ng Dept of Justice at member ang DSWD at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Buddy, baka gusto mong makiisa para may magawa tayong isang samahan dito sa mga Pilipino sa Japan para matulungan kahit iilan na mga batang preso.



@ Ka tonyang,
Kung may maitutulong po ako ,ipaalam lang po ninyo,hindi ko kayang na mag-isa ngunit kaya kong maki-isa kung anuman ang mapagkakasunduan .

[mcgregor]

Tingin ko huwag lang tayong tumingin at maging observer sa mga nangyayari... salamat Adechan sa pagli-link sa existing thread sa Batang Preso. Tingin ko better kung tayo mismo kikilos at may gagawin para maintindihan natin ang mga nangyayari sa mga batang ito. Last kong nakausap ang DSWD noong November 2005 patungkol sa presidential task force na binuo na pinamumunuan ng Dept of Justice at member ang DSWD at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Buddy, baka gusto mong makiisa para may magawa tayong isang samahan dito sa mga Pilipino sa Japan para matulungan kahit iilan na mga batang preso.

i wonder what made you 'say' the above-quoted. :confused: i hope you're not imputing that i am but a passive observer to the sad sad plight of many. :( a-re, defensive ako :slam: :hihi: nyek, bakit ko naman naisip yon e you don't know me naman :scratch: neither do you have an idea how exactly i spend my day, di ba. :D (oops, mapaghinala ako :p ) :rolleyes:

ehehe. never mind me. :nono:

ang pakay ko lang naman ay mag-share ng aking napanood. at magtanong how i can be of help. :love: :cowboy: (ang dami kong sinabi :sssh: gomen'nasai :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: )

pero, totoo po, pa'no kaya ako makakatulong? :kiss: :) :cowboy: :wink:

[Tonyang]

Ok huwag kayong magagalit... release-reintegrate-raise or 3Rs are the key words. Suwerte si Buddy at nasa Community News siya. Iyung Batang Preso thread na inumpisahan noon nasa Everything Else o Off-topic ba iyon?

Hay naku! Huwag sana natin isaalang-alang ang ganitong bagay dahil ang mga Hapong katrabaho o kakilala natin, nalalaman na ito o kahit di nila binabanggit sa kanila, alam nila itong kahihiyang ito. Tinitingnan tayo ng mga iyan at di lang masabi "bakit ganoon sa bansa ninyo" at di natin puwedeng sabihin lang na "palpak ang gobyerno natin" dahil alam na natin iyun. Kaya tayo dapat ang kumilos, mga kasama. Magtulungan tayong lahat.

Kung ok sa inyong palipasin ito at ibaon sa limot, nasaan ang konsyensya natin di ba? Mga kabataang humihingi ng saklolo ito... tululngan natin sana.

Anyway, we need to:

1. search for volunteer-lawyers who will represent the child prisoners for their release;

2. search for NGOs and agencies that could provide a reintegration program for released children

3. raise mobilization funds to help this cause

Our movement through Donna Rebagoda in Manila will visit one jail tomorrow in Sta. Cruz. You might be interested to go there too. Her mobile no is 0917-529-4433.

More pictures as captured from ITN video para makita ninyong lahat... para silang mga hayop na nakahawla. Buti pa ang mga tuta at aso rito sa Japan sa mga tindahang nakikita ko, nakakaikot sila sa laki ng kanilang mga kulungan. Bakit sila ginaganito? Loko na nga kung loko sila pero ito ba ang tamang pagtrato sa mga kabataan na may pagasa pang magbago?? Karumal-dumal di ba? Kaya sumagot lang kayo kung gusto ninyong tumulong.

Dito sa Japan puwede tayong makatulong pag nalaman na natin kung sinu-sino ang mga dapat tulungan o kung may mga kakilala na kayo na mga batang preso na dapat tulungan, pakisulat na lang agad at gawa tayo ng fundraising dito sa Japan para masuportahan ang cause na ito. So pera na naman pag-uusapan natin at baka magkagulo ulit kaya hintayin muna natin ang listahan ng mga dapat tulungan at buuin natin ang isang transparent donation system kung ok lang kayong lahat. Okidoks, Adechan and folks, let's continue. Ikokopya ko na lang ito sa Batang Preso thread ulit...

http://www.tpmovers.org/batangpreso2.jpg



http://www.tpmovers.org/batangpreso3.jpg


http://www.tpmovers.org/batangpreso4.jpg

http://www.tpmovers.org/batangpreso6.jpg

[mcgregor]

Ok huwag kayong magagalit... release-reintegrate-raise or 3Rs are the key words. Suwerte si Buddy at nasa Community News siya. Iyung Batang Preso thread na inumpisahan noon nasa Everything Else o Off-topic ba iyon?

Hay naku! Huwag sana natin isaalang-alang ang ganitong bagay dahil ang mga Hapong katrabaho o kakilala natin, nalalaman na ito o kahit di nila binabanggit sa kanila, alam nila itong kahihiyang ito. Tinitingnan tayo ng mga iyan at di lang masabi "bakit ganoon sa bansa ninyo" at di natin puwedeng sabihin lang na "palpak ang gobyerno natin" dahil alam na natin iyun. Kaya tayo dapat ang kumilos, mga kasama. Magtulungan tayong lahat.

Kung ok sa inyong palipasin ito at ibaon sa limot, nasaan ang konsyensya natin di ba? Mga kabataang humihingi ng saklolo ito... tululngan natin sana.

Anyway, we need to:

1. search for volunteer-lawyers who will represent the child prisoners for their release;

2. search for NGOs and agencies that could provide a reintegration program for released children

3. raise mobilization funds to help this cause

Our movement through Donna Rebagoda in Manila will visit one jail tomorrow in Sta. Cruz. You might be interested to go there too. Her mobile no is 0917-529-4433.

More pictures as captured from ITN video para makita ninyong lahat... para silang mga hayop na nakahawla. Buti pa ang mga tuta at aso rito sa Japan sa mga tindahang nakikita ko, nakakaikot sila sa laki ng kanilang mga kulungan. Bakit sila ginaganito? Loko na nga kung loko sila pero ito ba ang tamang pagtrato sa mga kabataan na may pagasa pang magbago?? Karumal-dumal di ba? Kaya sumagot lang kayo kung gusto ninyong tumulong.

Dito sa Japan puwede tayong makatulong pag nalaman na natin kung sinu-sino ang mga dapat tulungan o kung may mga kakilala na kayo na mga batang preso na dapat tulungan, pakisulat na lang agad at gawa tayo ng fundraising dito sa Japan para masuportahan ang cause na ito. So pera na naman pag-uusapan natin at baka magkagulo ulit kaya hintayin muna natin ang listahan ng mga dapat tulungan at buuin natin ang isang transparent donation system kung ok lang kayong lahat. Okidoks, Adechan and folks, let's continue. Ikokopya ko na lang ito sa Batang Preso thread ulit...

okay. i am not a lawyer but i am interested in paralegal work. pwede kaya yon? basta, i have to learn more about your work tapos tingnan natin exactly how i can be of help. i'll be coming home this feb and i hope to meet up with the other volunteers. 'yung number ba sa itaas (ni Donna) rin ba ang ko-kontakin? :)

[Tonyang]

Yes pls McGregor... pls contact that number.

Nasaan na iyung nag-umpisa ng thread na ito? Yuhuu Buddy... we need you here.

[abakitba]

Some of this is because people who cannot support their children continue to get pregnant.
If they were provided with reasonable birth control, then they would only have the children that they can take care off.
Very complex issue, I don't even know why I added my $0.02
Salamat po'.

[Tonyang]

Some of this is because people who cannot support their children continue to get pregnant.
If they were provided with reasonable birth control, then they would only have the children that they can take care off.
Very complex issue, I don't even know why I added my $0.02
Salamat po'.

Preventive side itong opinyon mo kapatid... mahalaga rin ito pero sa ngayon, nasa rescue operations tayo ika nga. Sana kasama ka namin sa mga gustong tumulong. Maraming salamat.

[abakitba]

Can you outline what you have done for them.
We should commend you for what you have done to help the children in prison.
Thank you for your efforts.
Hope they have been productive.
Didn't want to join this very complex thread, but again I commend you for what it is you have done.

[d_southpaw]

Can you outline what you have done for them.
We should commend you for what you have done to help the children in prison.
Thank you for your efforts.
Hope they have been productive.
Didn't want to join this very complex thread, but again I commend you for what it is you have done.

Kabayan, mas maganda ang sabihin mo sa kanya, is to outline what she had done
for them, so that you can also do exactly the same things.

Commending Tonyang is not what she wants, she wants to help those children.
She will appreciate more if you will direct your valuable efforts to those who
need it most.

[abakitba]

Kabayan, mas maganda ang sabihin mo sa kanya, is to outline what she had done for them, so that you can also do exactly the same things.
Commending Tonyang is not what she wants, she wants to help those children.
She will appreciate more if you will direct your valuable efforts to those who
need it most.

to d southpaw
May I commend you on your excellent idea! Thank you. I agree.:D

to tonyang,
What do you think of southpaw's suggestion?
How about an outline of what you have done...
perhaps some of us at TF can emulate your wonderful works?:)

[Tonyang]

Thanks for those motivations. No exact help directed to the children had been done yet. Yes we had been successful to mobilize communities and awareness campaigns. But nothing definite had been done yet. We don't know what measurable means we could do to help them. All of us who want to help don't want doleouts like "collect money then donate then bahala na sila". We are still in the process of finding out how to help best. This is being honest and transparent of the developments so far. Do you have recommendations on how we should move forward? Again... all of those who contacted and interested to support are waiting for measurable and effective means to help those children. This is quite a long journey and you are invited to join as well. This is not a complex case if many hands will join to lighten the load/burden. Thanks again.

[abakitba]

to tonyang...
thanks for your reply.
Right now I'm just being a cheerleader.
I'm just happy that the US military is helping and I can only encourage our politicians to assist and allow them to help.
They are best equipped for this kind of operation.
Besides that, I don't have concrete plans or recommendations.
I'm sure you will let us know when you have done something concrete.
Thanks again.

[d_southpaw]

to d southpaw
May I commend you on your excellent idea! Thank you. I agree.:D

to tonyang,
What do you think of southpaw's suggestion?
How about an outline of what you have done...
perhaps some of us at TF can emulate your wonderful works?:)

In fairness to Tonyang, because this project that she is spearheading appears to
be in the very early stage - hence not many concrete actions yet. Unless you want to join and share your ideas in the formulation and finding out ways how help can be done.

How about letting Ka Tonyang outline another project for you ?
Yong may enough time na para ma-execute and hence malalaman
mo (okay, natin) kung may jisseki na. Iskolar Pinoy halimbawa ?

Then we will look forward to knowing what you can actually do, and follow suit.

[Tonyang]

Thanks, Abaktiba and Dsouthpaw.

Dsouthpaw, tiyak mas may magagawa pa si Abaktiba bukod sa pagiging cheerleader. Ofcourse importante iyung cheering squad at si Abaktiba ang cheerleader pero dahil kokonti pa lang ang mga sumasagot, pati cheerleaders at cheering squad, sana sumali na rin para mas madali ang mga gagawin natin di ba? Dual role, kayang-kaya ni Abaktiba iyan. Pagtulungan natin. Ok lang?

Tama iyung Iskolar-Pinoy...next round starting June so may lead time pa na medyo mahaba para sa sponsorship-search, scholar-search at sponsor-scholar matching na gagawin bago mag-June.

[Tonyang]

Hi Friend! Here we have an update from Donna (our Philippine link) regarding the present needs of the rehab center where imprisoned kids could be transferred. We hope to receive the complete message of the chief of the Program Management Board of DSWD this week. This is for your information. We believe that rehab centers are available but lacking the facility to house more children. Our suggestion is not to construct a building but to maximize the resources that we could handle. There are many rehab centers of DSWD... one of them appeared to be crowded but with creativity and some imagination, it could include more children. That is, we can just include more tables, more chairs, more beds, more furnitures to accommodate more kids.

What do you think? Let's keep each other posted... our moves are very slow but hopefully, we could make it.

Regards.

Tonyang
www.tpmovers.org (http://www.tpmovers.org/)

PS The list of possible centers of DSWD:

> Marillac Hills (Fil-Invest, Alabang, Muntinlupa City): A
rehabilitation
> center for young women which caters to abused, exploited or are in
conflict with
> the law
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) Brgy. Urayong, La
Union -
> residential facility that provides care and rehabilitation to
juvenile in con
> flict with the law who are 9-17 years old
>
> Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) - Lingu, Solana,
Cagayan -
> Child-caring institution that provide services to abandoned,
neglected and/or
> surrendered children 0-6 years of age.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Candabang,
Argao, Cebu
> City - A residential facility that provides care and
rehabilitation to juvenile
> in conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Sto. Ni,
Tanauan, Leyte
> - A residential facility that provides care and rehabilitation to
juvenile
> in conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Polanco,
Zamboanga del
> Norte - A residential facility that provides care and
rehabilitation to juvenile
> in conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Cahulugan,
Gingoog City -
> A residential facility that provides care and rehabilitation to
juvenile in
> conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Bag-o Oshiro,
Tugbok
> District, Davao City - A residential facility that provides care
and
> rehabilitation to juvenile in conflict with the law who are 9-17
years old.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Patin-ay,
Prosperidad,
> Agusan del Sur - A residential facility that provides care and
rehabilitation to
> juvenile in conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.
>
> Lingap Center - San Juan de Mata, Tarlac City - transitional
home for
> street children ages 7-17 who are abandoned or whose parents
cannot at the time
> provide for their needs adequately
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Magalang,
Pampanga - A
> residential facility that provides care and rehabilitation to
juvenile in
> conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.
>
> Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) - Concordia,
Nueva
> Valencia, Guimaras - A residential facility that provides care
and rehabilitation
> to juvenile in conflict with the law who are 9-17 years old.

[Tonyang]

Thank you for your e-mail signifying your willingness to help our children in conflict with the law (CICL). All the CICL's detained in the jails in Metro Manila have been transferred in a common detention home in Bicutan, Taguig City to prevent them from getting mixed with adult offenders. To date there are 170 minors being served. It was the recent undertakings jointly espoused by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and DSWD.

The facility is conducive to CICL's as compared to the congested Metro Manila jails as it is more spacious where they can move around. However since the facility is new, it currently lacks fixtures such as tables and chairs (visiting area) cabinets where these children can keep their clothes and a washing machine for their laundry.

Though it is indeed true that our rehabilitation centers are full as of now, but the detention home being mentioned needs more help as to this time. May we know where the goods will be coming from, because if it would be from overseas it would be easier if you could monetize it to facilitate the handling and guarantee in the purchase of goods.


(sgd) Director Vilma B. Cabrera


-----------------
* Note: Director Cabrera is from the Program Management Board of DSWD and her office is directly involved in the batang preso sector. Our movement suggested to her to look into needs of their rehab facilities. By chance, there are furnitures we could provide to house more batang preso instead of keeping them in prison cells. In the latest communication, we are waiting for her next reply on which rehab center and prison cells they are targeting now... this form of assistance is more practical because from the cash pooling we're doing and from fundraising we could have, the small amount of money we could donate will actually help remove some children from the prison cells because our collected money could be used to buy beds, chairs, tables and other furnitures for the convenience and comfort of transferred child prisoners. Medyo mabagal ang response at bibilis ito kung mas maraming tututok at tutulong sa followup. Salamat. Hope this helps.

[v_wrangler]

I thought this is just right on time..

The congressional bicameral committee on Tuesday approved the juvenile justice bill, ANC reported.

Under the bill, police cannot detain suspects below 18 years of age.

Instead, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will have custody over the youth offenders.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?story Id=33326

[Tonyang]

Thanks, V_Wrangler... problem is lack of facilities ever since. So even if this law is approved already, there's not much promise later on because we have the same problem. This is why we hope to open the search of more rehab centers or rennovate some buildings to become rehab centers or come up with effective rehab programs or all of the above. Regarding our action update, there's no reply yet regarding the venue, number of child prisoners to transfer and contact person to send additional facilities as cabinet, bed etc from the funds to be contributed by fellow kababayans in Japan...

[v_wrangler]

Just an update to let everyone know that the law has been signed already.

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday signed into law a bill aimed at keeping children below 15 years old out of jails.
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=75957

[Tonyang]

Just an update to let everyone know that the law has been signed already.


http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=75957


Very good news, Wrangler... maybe such a law will have a short-term effect. Hanggang sa mamatay iyung popularity niya sa media. Then babalik iyung kakulangan sa reinforcement ng mga nasa batas at kawalan ng mga youth rehab center. Actually iyung pinakaproblema, kulang tayo sa youth rehab centers... iyun dapat ang may parehong weight bukod sa pagmamalasakit ng asawa ni Sharon Cuneta. Ngayong law na iyan, kokonti ang mga batang preso pero dadami ang mga lokong bata sa paligid. May checks and balances kayang ginawa ang asawa ni Sharon Cuneta o ginawa niya lang ang kanyang trabaho? Tanong ko lang naman... Kasi noong may tripartite... BJMP, DOJ at DSWD - mahina pa rin ang laban para matulungan ang batang preso sector. Ngayon kayang naging batas na, may pagbabago kahit konti? What good will it do?