(Eagle News) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is slated to file charges against the parents of the minors who were rescued in a drug operation in Navotas last week.
In a statement, PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said the parents of the minors–aged 4 years old to 15 years old—should be held liable for violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Aquino said, after all, that “child neglect is the simplest form of child abuse.”
“Parents or guardians are answerable if they are unable to protect their children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination, or worse, they are the ones committing such acts,” Aquino said.
He said parents have an “important role” in keeping the children off the streets.
The parents, he said, “as head of the basic unit of society,” must also “provide their children the basic services needed for a good quality of life.”
The minors, who were rescued in what PDEA said were drug dens in Navotas Fishport in Barangay North Bay Boulevard on Jan. 16, were, based on surveillance footage, being used as as runners or pushers.
According to PDEA, they were also being used to maintain the drug dens, and would sometimes participate in pot sessions.
The children are now housed inside Navotas’ Bahay Pag-asa, a facility for Children in Conflict with the Law.
Earlier, PDEA was accused of parading the children to the media during the rescue, but the agency denied this, saying the children were immediately taken to a PDEA vehicle after the operation. With a report from PNA