ZAMBOANGA CITY -- This city's Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president has called on parents and relatives to visit child offenders being rehabilitated at the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) center here.
Councilor Cary John Pioc issued the call Tuesday during his visit to the center where he distributed gifts consisting of food, hygiene kits, and other basic necessities.
Pioc said he found it regrettable that most of the parents do not visit their children at the CICL, which houses at least 16 children.
He pointed out that children in conflict with the law are the most vulnerable, needing counseling from “someone who will understand and talk to them.”
“What we can give them is the presence of somebody who would listen to them,” he added.
Pioc said that based on his conversations with some of the children, the primary reason why parents are hesitant to visit the center because of the stigma associated with having a child who ran afoul with the law despite their young age.
The SK official said the children at the center are facing various offenses that include rape, drug abuse, and even drug pushing. (PNA)
