Dumaguete City intensifies drive vs vagrancy, begging

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) – Dumaguete City government has reported that some 2,709 individuals have been arrested or rescued for vagrancy, begging and other offenses from June 1 to December 15 last year.

Retired Police Officer and current head of the Dumaguete City Task Force Eduardo Oira said those arrested have either been penalized or turned over to appropriate authorities.

Some 1,982 Badjaos and 90 beggars were removed from the city streets during the 274 operations conducted to enforce the anti-mendicancy law.

They were brought to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) or turned over to their guardians and to other local government units (LGUs).

Oira said that 159 were also arrested for violating the anti-vagrancy ordinance, 95 of those arrested were brought to the Youth Home while the remaining were turned over to their parents.

Fifty-one  youths were arrested for sniffing rugby, 37 of whom were referred to the Police Station, he added.

The Task Force also conducted 119 operations to apprehend illegal vendors and confiscated 95 baskets of fruits and 24 bundles of vegetables.

Sixty-four of these vendors have paid their fines while 31 baskets of fruits and 24 bundles of vegetables have been given to the Youth Home and Mental Rehabilitation Centers.

Authorities also inspected 23 Internet cafes and arrested 19 people for truancy; 12 were referred to school officials and nine were turned over to their parents and guardians.

In his report, Oira said 71 mentally disturbed persons have been rescued and sent to the mental rehabilitation center in response to request for assistance by concerned citizens.

Meanwhile, some 218 violators have been issued citation tickets for smoking in public places. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental/This article was first published at PIA website on Jan. 10, 2017)

CHR: Strengthen pillars of justice system to solve criminality

By Leandria Pagunsan

CHR-Negros Oriental Special Investigator Dr. Jesus Cañete talks about strengthening the pillars of justice system during a Kapihan sa PIA forum in observance of National Human Rights Consciousness Week. (PIA7-NegOr)

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA)—Strengthening pillars of the justice system (community, law enforcement, prosecution, courts and correction) instead of imposing death penalty will answer the problem on criminality, according to Special Investigator Jesus Cañete of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Negros Oriental.

In a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum held in observance of National Human Rights Consciousness Week, Cañete explained that people who usually commit crimes do it for survival because of poverty.

“A person cannot think at the moment of facing death penalty when their families have nothing to eat,” said Cañete.

He reminded that human rights is inherent to all and should be protected, uphold and preserved at all times citing that effective delivery of social justice system and equal opportunities should be given to all constituents especially in giving basic government services.

Cañete also explained that the United Nations as the convening body of all member nations who are signatory to international human rights laws cannot compel them to specific actions, they can only document because implementing the solutions is sovereign to the concerned state.

The commission is now doubling its efforts in educating people especially the security forces that can be possible source of violations later on.

Interpretation of laws should be taken seriously because this might send wrong signals as far as human rights violations is concerned, according to Cañete.

The CHR as watchdog sees to it that government is acting and implementing according to the instruments set by the United Nations in promoting and protecting human rights.

Proper implementation of the system can be determined by society itself.

While there are conflicting views on human rights issues, advocates sometimes are being ridiculed with negative remarks by people who do not value their individual rights, not unless they themselves become victims of violations, said Cañete.

Another resource person during the Kapihan forum, Atty. Gazzelene Fuentes of CHR Region 7 said the justice system itself is effective but sometimes have flaws as far as implementation is concerned.

Crimes that are categorized as extra judicial killings (EJK) committed by law enforcers should be held accountable for justice to be served accordingly.

Fuentes said there is no need to fight against the government because the legal system itself is doing its role. (rmn/lpp/PIA7-Negros Oriental/This article was first published at PIA Website on Dec. 13, 2016)

 

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Dumaguete City intensifies crackdown vs defective mufflers

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) – The Dumaguete City government has intensified the elimination against defective mufflers in the streets of the city.

Mayor Felipe Remollo directed the Traffic Management Office (TMO) to be more aggressive in apprehending those with defective mufflers especially this Yuletide season to promote peace and order.

So far, 119 persons have been apprehended by TMO since September last year for using defective mufflers.

TMO Chief Danny Atillo revealed that nearly P60,000 worth of fines were also imposed on the violators, while P44,000 of fines and penalties were meted out for other offenses.

Atillo vowed that his office will intensify the crackdown against the misuse of mufflers which drew numerous complaints from citizens. (jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental/This article was first published at PIA Website on Dec. 16, 2016)