JUVENILE JUSTICE?

By Bruce Villafuerte Rivera

The death of the minor in the drug raid is regrettable. And perhaps the police would have some explaining to do. But why are minors included in drug raids. This is because the Juvenile Justice Law insulating minors from criminal prosection has become the convenient runners of shabu dealers.

I am not saying that the minor killed is guilty, he may have been caught in the ceasefire but the drug lords have lose their sense of humanity by using minors in the trade. And yes, the police also has to consider that fact. Many of those who armed in poor communities are minor gang members who aside from engaging in petty crime and prostitution are also drug pusher and runners. Criminal gangs recruit as young as 12 years old to be part of the group. And to a boy who grew up without a family, that is something to aspire and fight for.

I am as outraged as anyone on the news of the death of a minor. But I think we should not blame the one who tried to stop the proliferation of drugs when we should be blaming the people who made minors easy pawns on the war on drugs.