21 minors arrested over 'curfew'
Rains kept more off the streets

By Florence F. Hibionada

Police operatives were all briefed and ready for the job. Radio reporters were all set and tasked for the night's coverage. Yet Wednesday's day one implementation of the city curfew for minors generated a "not-so eventful evening" though some 21 minors were arrested for litterally littering in city streets. Thanks or no thanks to the incessant rains, more minors were kept off nightspots though that had adult-staff worry of their own plight outside their homes.

The police operation got 14 minors in Jaro District, seven of whom were immediately taken from police custody by the parents. The seven who remained in Jaro were mostly vendors with the youngsters reached by radio reporters saying they were out to relax after a day-long of plying their wares.

Five arrests were on record in Police Precinct 1 of the City Proper though technically, the five arrests fell short on the 'curfew' prohibition with the youngsters known as 'rugby boys' and "regulars" in the city streets.

Incidentally, PP1 'curfew' operation also netted eight adult-vagrants, six males and two females who were reported to be commercial sex workers.

Molo District got two arrests in Barangay North San Jose while none was recorded in Mandurriao and Lapaz. Records were not immediately known in Arevalo.

In the city's latest popular hang-out called "Smallville" along Diversion Road, students and young faces littered early in the evening but were mostly in the company of adults. The city curfew ordinance allows minors to be out only in cases where a parent or guardian is nearby. An hour into the announced curfew, those observed to stay on were overheard to have discussed the curfew and as the rains began to pour anew, three remaining groups of seeming minors opted to leave.

One reached by The News Today quipped, "there would be other nights." Pressed for reaction on the curfew, a freshman Political Science student of University of San Agustin retorted, "but how are they going to know we are below 18? I can always argue my age. I look more mature than other 17 year-olds and I behave better than a lot of adults really. I hope the curfew serves us right though. But 11 pm? I don't know about that. Maybe it should have been moved to 1 am. My parents allow me to be out on weekdays until 1am and no curfew on weekends."

To note, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) under P/Senior Supt. Norlito Bautista has since assured that the police are out to ensure full implementation of the city curfew. First offense would mean a reminder to the minor and second offense would mean a visit to the police headquarters and eventually, community service like taking part in some serious cleaning for the city's drainage, plaza and roadsides.

Business establishments caught violating the curfew ordinance also stands to be penalized. The ordinance stipulates fines of P1,000 to P5,000 alongside the corresponding charges the city reserves the right to file.

Mayor Jerry Treñas in pushing for the curfew implementation said police are under orders to have such observed throughout the city's six districts. Yet it is to be in the districts of Arevalo, Jaro and the City Proper were focus are to be made given the number of recreational joints and internet stations in these areas.

The city curfew ordinance for minors was initially passed in 2001 but carried ammendments in 2003.