KIKO TO PNP: DO YOUR JOBS AND GO AFTER CRIMINAL SYNDICATES EXPLOITING MINORS; STOP BLAMING THE MINORS AND THE LAW

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has had enough of the police using syndicates that use minors as scapegoats for their failure to implement the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

"We have received reports that these children are in fact used and supported by criminal syndicates that exploit minors. If true, then the PNP should go after the syndicates instead of simply pinning the blame on the minors and the Juvenile Justice Law."

"The easiest thing to do is blame the law or the minors and in the process let these syndicates go scot-free," Pangilinan pointed out. "Is this their agenda? Absolve the criminal syndicates? If they eliminate these syndicates then there will be no minors involved in criminal activities run by syndicates."

The lawmaker raises another question in the failure of law enforcers to properly implement the Juvenile Justice Law. "Kasabwat ba ng ilang elemento ng PNP ang mga sindikato kaya ayaw nilang buwagin ang mga ito? May 'cashunduan' ba sa pagitan ng PNP at mga sindikato? Ayaw ko naman isipin na ang kaya lang ng PNP ay 'yung mga bata o menor de edad."

"Kung sino pa ang pinakadehado at inaabuso, 'yun din ang pinag-iinitan ng PNP, ganun ba?" Pangilinan asks. "Huwag naman sana ganun."

"These minors are victims of exploitation and abuse by criminal syndicates and for the PNP to pin the blame on these minors and the law is to victimize these children all over again."

The lawmaker issues a challenge to the PNP: "Buwagin ang mga sindikato at lalaho na ang mga batang hamog na pakawala ng mga sindikatong ito."