Naghain ng isang resolusyon si Senador Risa Hontiveros na naglalayong iimbestigahan ang sunod-sunod pagpaslang sa kabataan at menor de edad kabilang an 15 anyos na batang napatay kamakailan.
“The violent killings of society’s most vulnerable—our children and youth—many perpetrated by officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has resulted in a creeping culture of fear and distrust of law enforcement in our communities,” ayon kay Hontiveros sa Senate Resolution No. 776.
Binanggit din ng deputy minority leader ng Senado ang pagpaslang sa 17-year old si Jemboy Baltazar sa Navotas, na pinatay ng ilang miyembro ng Navotas Police Station sanhi ng mistaken identity.
Pero, kakaiba ang kaso ni John Frances, 15 anyos na binaril sa tiyan ni police officer Cpl. Arnulfo Sabillo, na nagsasabing “accidental.”
“The second ‘accidental death’ of a youth at the hands of police in a matter of weeks, and echoing Jemboy’s murder, Cpl. Sabillo had likewise, been found guilty of administrative offenses—having been previously suspended twice and arrested for alarm and scandal,” giit ng senador.
Inihayag n Senate Committee on Women and Children chairperson na base sa independent reports, umabot sa 129 bata ang napatay sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte mula 2016 hanggang 2020, at aabot sa 40 percent ng papatay sa kabataan ay ginawa ng police officers.
Aniya, hindi nakilala kung sino pumatay sa iba pero may kaugnayan ang karamihan sa pulisya.
“The 1987 Constitution declares that the prime duty of the government is to serve and protect and guarantee that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law,” giit niya.
Tinutukoy pa Hontiveros na pawang signatory ang Pilipinas sa United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, na inaatasan ang state parties na kilalanin ang inherent right ng kabataan sa buhay at tiyakin ang matinding proteksiyon sa kanilang pamumuhay at pag-unlad.
“These killings involving Filipino youth happen even when the Philippines already has existing laws ensuring the safety of children,” ayon kay Hontiveros.
Kabilang dito, aniya ang Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (Republic Act No. 7610); Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (RA. No. 9262); at ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA No. 9344).”
