By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, confirmed they have received reports of children being used as drug couriers in the city.
In a phone interview yesterday afternoon, he said law enforcement has apprehended minors acting as drug couriers, but were all endorsed to the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office.
He added there have been minors charged as adults, under RA 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, however, it is incumbent upon the decision of the prosecutor.
For those turned over to the DSWD, Wanky said they are conducting interviews with the apprehended children, convincing them to reveal who is directing them to carry drugs, which, if they comply, a follow-up operation will be immediately conducted in order to arrest the individual.
“It is the decision of the court if the child will also be included in the regular filing of the criminal case,” Wanky said.
He added, in most cases, apprehended children said their parents commanded them to deliver drugs on their behalf./WDJ