PDEA makes parents pay

PDEA Director Aaron Aquino answers media questions after filing charges against parents of minors rescued from a Navotas drug syndicate. ROMAN PROSPERO

Amid the discourse on the lowering of the age of criminal liability, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday filed appropriate charges against the parents of children rescued during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Navotas City.

In a statement, the PDEA said it has slapped the parents of the rescued children with charges of violation of Section 10 of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and of Article 59 of the Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.

The anti-drug agency identified the parents as Joland Fernandez Sta. Maria, Geralyn Gulles Patalita, Nicanor Alarde Rosalijos, Emie Moreno, Daniel Bautista, Mary Ann Paraon, Cipriano Glico Moso, Arlene Cortes Salvamante, Loren Ambulo, Rowena Mendoza, Gregory Rojo, Norma Dalimit, Liza Montalban, Ronjing Montalban, Romulo Aguilar Mahinay, Rosebel Sarno Mendoza and Jeffrey Molina Baltazar.

“Filing the appropriate charges will serve as warning to parents not to neglect and let their children roam the streets, making them vulnerable to groups involved in drug trafficking,” said PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino.

The PDEA chief added that the agency is already intensifying its campaign to prevent minors from being exploited by drug syndicates.