ILOILO City – This city’s efforts to combat youth violence are stuck in a cycle of knee-jerk reactions that fade once public attention wanes, Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna warned, citing failures in sustaining interventions and closing gaps in community protection systems.
Cabaluna, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Public Safety and Order, said he had sounded the alarm as early as February 2024 over “pang-tripping” and “pang-sasko” incidents where students were attacked on their way home and rival groups clashed near schools.
“I was already calling the attention of the public, specifically the city government and concerned agencies, to address the situation,” he said. “We conducted committee hearings to trace the roots of these incidents and pushed for interventions from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), schools, barangays, and most importantly, families.”
His renewed call comes in the wake of a stabbing at Jaro Plaza and a rumble in Mandurriao district involving minors. The violence prompted Mayor Raisa Treñas to convene a multi-agency meeting with the Philippine National Police (PNP), CSWDO, and other stakeholders.
Cabaluna said discussions confirmed that some of the minors were gang members.
Police pledged more visibility and standby points in strategic areas, while the CSWDO committed to boosting diversion and intervention programs.
But Cabaluna warned that without sustained implementation, these commitments risk becoming empty promises. He pointed to lapses such as the shortage of guidance counselors in schools and the incomplete or non-functional Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
“Even BCPC meetings are sometimes merged with regular barangay sessions, and some councils lack the mandated members. This weakens the very structure meant to protect our children,” he said.
The deeper problem, he added, is that vigilance often spikes only after an incident.
“When an incident happens, everyone is active, but once the issue dies down, vigilance fades. We need to compete with the everyday influences on our youth, especially peer groups and online interactions. Parents should not only talk to their children but also try to understand their world, even on social media,” he said.
Cabaluna underscored that the burden cannot rest on City Hall alone.
“This should be a shared responsibility — from the family to the school, the community, the church, and the government. We must be there consistently, guiding them every step of the way. We need a sustained and integrated effort to lead our young people toward the right path,” he said./PN
