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[av_heading heading=’Suspension of brgy chief sought for Ajuy rape case’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Sunday, April 2, 2017
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ILOILO City – The barangay captain in Ajuy, Iloilo where an elementary schoolgirl was raped by five youngsters early last month may be suspended for negligence, according to the Assistant Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.
The same sanction may be meted to the village chiefs in Maysilo, Malabon City and Santa Maria town, Bulacan province for similar rape incidents, said Cong. Salvador Belaro Jr. of the 1-Ang Edukasyon part-list in a statement.
“The (Department of Interior and Local Government) Secretary and concerned governors must hold the barangay chairmen responsible for the assault on the three children mercilessly attacked in these three localities. DILG, suspend the barangay chairmen for negligence if you must,” said Belaro.
The police of Ajuy, Iloilo said it cannot file criminal complaints against the five suspects in the rape of an 11-year-old Grade 6 pupil.
The suspects were all below 15 years old, according to Chief Inspector Charlie Sustento, Ajuy police chief.
Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 set the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 15 years old.
Two of the suspects were 14 years old. The others were from 11 to 12 years old.
The rape happened on March 6 in a farm near Bay-ang Elementary School in Barangay Bay-ang, Ajuy.
“Attackers above 15 years of age can be held criminally liable if proven that they acted with discernment. Rape cases should be filed promptly,” according to Belaro.
Incidents involving school-age children require swift action by the police and DILG, he stressed.
“DILG, task barangay social workers to attend to the victims, their families and to the suspects’ families. Determine if the parents and guardians of the suspects should also be held liable for the actions of their children,” added Belaro.
He also urged Philippine National Police director General Ronald Dela Rosa to task the local police to do “real investigative work producing evidence, leaving no room for reasonable doubt in court against the persons who assaulted the children and any individuals who obstruct justice by keeping the child predators from law enforcers.”
All of the suspects in the Ajuy rape case were in their parents’ custody, said Sustento.
This is in accordance with Section 12 of the Act which states: “The family shall be responsible for the primary nurturing and rearing of children which is critical in delinquency prevention. As far as practicable and in accordance with the procedures of this Act, a child in conflict with the law shall be maintained in his/her family.”/PN
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