BACOLOD CITY, (PNA) -– The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), in cooperation with Police Station 5, held a program at the Alberto D. Arceo Elementary School in Barangay Alangilan Friday to mark the country’s 21st Children’s Month.
This year’s theme is “Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban.”
Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, acting city police director, said that through the activity, the police is showing the importance of children in society.
He stressed that the right of a child to live, right of dignity, right to be given name, right to school and all other rights as provided for in under the Constitution and other laws should, at all times, be respected.
“We must ensure that they are protected from any form of abuse and exploitations. They should be given an opportunity to enjoy life free from any abuses,” Ordaniel said.
He added: “To that end, we must keep these children away from individuals who are using them in the pursuance of illegal activities (because) as minors they are exempted from any criminal liability.”
As part of the program, Ordaniel, with school principal Caridad Ellera, witnessed the turn-over of 397 pairs of slippers to the pupils donated by David Ruskin and his family.
Also present were Chief Insp. Danilo Francisco, chief of BCPO Police Community Relations; Insp. Ramsey Barro; and Senior Insp. Ritchie Gohee, chief of Police Station 5.