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By Jonathan M. Hicap Reporter
Jay (not his real name)
considered the streets of Muntinlupa as his home. He and his friends
roamed the streets day and night, begging for money to buy food and
sniffing rugby to get high.
Then his addiction shot out of
control and he began to steal. After several successful jobs, he ran
out of luck and got busted by the police and was thrown in jail.
Today, Jay spends his time in the
Center for Restorative Activities Development and Learning
Experiences (CRADLE) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig, a new
jail facility for children in conflict with the law (CICL).
CRADLE is home to 108 child
offenders from most parts of Metro Manila except from Manila, Quezon
City and Pasay which have their own child centers. It is being run
by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
The facility was originally
intended for detainees under the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA).
It was converted into CRADLE when
Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, was
passed. The law calls for the separation of child offenders from
adult inmates.
According to Catherine Nanola,
officer in charge of rehabilitation, CRADLE, following the
international standard, defines a child as a person who is 18 years
old or younger.
Of the 108 offenders, 69 have
been committed to the facility for crimes against property, 14 for
crimes against persons, five for drug related charges, 10 for crimes
in special laws like carnapping, and 10 for crimes against chastity.
One in mate is 15 years old, 20
are older than 15 butnot yet 16, 80 are between 16 to 17 years old
and seven are 18 years old.
Nanola said CRADLE can
accommodate 800 children. Today, the child offenders occupy 10
dorms.
Everyday, the children have a
routine to follow. It starts with making up their beds and cleaning
their dorm, then having breakfast. The rest of the day is devoted to
attending classes under the Alternative Learning System of the
Department of Education and some exercise. CRADLE has a basketball
court for recreation.
Six social workers are in charge
of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation involves care management, counseling,
coordination with the courts and with local governments.
Five non-government organizations
are now conducting in-house programs for the children. They are
Advocates for Children and Elderly International, Ligaya ng
Panginoon, Couples for Christ, Anawin International and Values
Formation Organization.
Each of these has adopted a dorm
to conduct values training and skills training (like simple
electricity and candle making). This Christmas, the NGOs will have
Christmas parties with the children. Nanola said the children will
not be alone this Christmas as their families will visit them. The
jail warden, Amelia Talento, has allowed families to visit their
children on Christmas day.
Nanola said the number of
children in the facility is constantly being reduced by judges who
issue court orders to commit a child to their families or to other
youth centers.
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