Prison Slavery Is Survival For Children
Document Title: Prison Slavery Is Survival For
Children
Document Ref No: R9101271
First Published: Reflections - Philippine Daily Inquirer
Publication Date: January 27th 1991
Author's Name: Father Shay Cullen SSC
While the world is at War and nations are throwing million dollar missiles
at each other in the Gulf and even Saddam Hussain is studying the rights
of prisoners some Philippine Government officials seem to be at war with
the children they have sworn to protect.
Danilo Canedo is only 12, Dennis Gurrero is 15, Lando Ugateya is 12, Jesus
Jasulo is 15 and what they all have in common with many other minors is
that they are children in prison.
In Cebu's Lahug walled compound of concrete and steel many minors are imprisoned
for petty offences with hardened criminals. They work and clean and serve
their boss and only then can they eat. For the children in prison slavery
is survival.
12 year old Danilo was arrested last December 28 1990 together with 16 year
old Ronald Lagari and they were beaten up in the police sub-station of Pahina,
Cebu and were held for three days without being charged.
When they were sentenced to two months they had no lawyer and no DSWD social
worker. 12 year old Lando Ugateya was arrested for playing Han-tak (a game
of chance) and jailed. He was already one month in Lahug prison when I talked
to him.
Jesus Jasulo, 15, told me how he was apprehended by the security guards
in the Cebu Gaisano super-store because he slipped a matchbox toy into his
pocket.
The case was pressed by the store and although he is a pint size child and
had no previous conviction he was sentenced to serve 6 month in prison by
Judge Agana.
He is there since last December 20. He too told me he had no attorney or
DSWD worker to help him. His parents did not even know of the trial.
12 years old Lando Gatatey was picked and jailed, Jeffery Padillo 13 years
old was sent to jail by a fiscal Mabanto from the Cebu capital prosecutors
office.
Alan Blando, 13, got 8 to 10 years in prison for snatching. The list goes
on and on but perhaps the youngest I found are 10 year old Jun Jun Viola
and Tata Cinco, 11, who are imprisoned in Madaue jail since December 16.
Child imprisonment is banned by the United Nation declaration on Human Rights
and the Rights of Children to which the Philippines is a signatory.
Defense of Children International (DCI) says the most important right of
the child is the right NOT to be imprisoned.
No child should ever be held in an adult prison, females should never be
jailed with males, and if children are ever detained it has to be a measure
of last resort and only in specialized institutions.
Every case has to be challenged and exposed says DCI.
Cebu government officials say that children in Lahug prison (which is called
Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center) will be transferred to the children's
"rehabilitation" center in Argao, about 60 Kilometers South of
Cebu city they say.
This is an arduous journey for parents to visit their children but many
are in Lahug for months already.
The Cebu task force for street children, a government project, heavily financed
by UNICEF, is still thinking about the problem after children were brought
to their meeting to tell them about child prisoners some months ago.
Many are still suffering and being damaged daily in jail and more are being
imprisoned. However a very expensive looking drop-in center for street children
is being built down town by the task force, but it is too late for the likes
of Dennis or Alan, their childhood has ended.
During my visit Cebu had a celebration of the Sto. Niño, or Holy Child.
Millions of pesos were spent on various floats, displays posters and steamers
hailing the Holy Child but it was a sad contradiction, the real Santo Ninos
are in the jails and prisons all around the country.
Compassion is in short supply in some of the courts too.
Hard hearted judges drop the gravel on the lives of children condemning
them to inhuman imprisonment and destroying their lives. One judge is allegedly
more interested in real estate using her position to illegally buy and sell
government housing than caring about the rights of children.
Some Cebu officials may protest about this column and like officials in
Olongapo will ask why not write about the good things of Cebu.
I say that is exactly what I am writing about - children are the best thing
that ever happened to Cebu and I know there are dedicated officials who
love them and will act to save the children once they know the truth.
But Cebu is not alone in examples of child prisoners.
In Dagupan City, Pangasinan, dedicated DSWD workers find it hard to transfer
children from the jails to the well run Regional Rehabilitation for Youth
near Bauang Pangasinan.
Many towns don't want to pay their share of the rehabilitation costs. This
center is set in the countryside by the sea with gardens and livestock projects,
sports and educational facilities. It has a round the clock staff of 12
and has a low escape rate (only 3 last year) even though it is practically
an open center.
But more children can be helped by voluntary community action groups that
visit jails and prisons.
You can help change things around. This is what you can do. Start a volunteer
"jail watch" project in your school, college or parish.
Every day assign two members to visit the local sub-stations and the main
police station and prison. If there are any children there take down their
name, age address etc. and note how long the child has been imprisoned and
ask about good or bad treatment.
Ask the police if there are complaints already filed against the children.
If none have been filed offer to take the child into your custody.
Contact the parents and a friendly attorney. If the person is detained and
accused of a minor offense charges must be filed within 9 hours. If more
serious, charges must be filed within 12 hours, within 24 hours for very
serious.
If the person is held longer than this and no charges are filed the Police
can be charged for violating human rights. Contact the complainant and ask
for the charges to be dropped and if they agree refer the child to an accredited
child agency for help.
Write to me about your project and findings and I will write them up. Be
accurate and precise.
Do something, visit your nearest jail today, it's almost the same as going
to church, you will meet God there.
