Police identify students in viral Davao City street commotion, set meeting with parents

Police in Davao City have identified the students involved in a street commotion that spread on social media and have scheduled a conference with their parents or guardians, according to SunStar.

Police Station 2 (San Pedro) of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said in a November 7 statement that it worked with the school administration to identify the students. Police did not name the school or give the exact location of the incident, though a video shared online appeared to show the commotion happening along Torres Street.

The station said that being minors does not exempt the students from accountability. "Even when minors are involved, accountability remains," the police station said. Authorities, however, are required to deal with the students under laws protecting children in conflict with the law.

Under Republic Act 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, children aged 15 and below are exempt from criminal liability. Those above 15 but below 18 are also exempt unless they acted with discernment. The law favours intervention and diversion programmes aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating children rather than punishing them.

Police also reminded parents and guardians of their duty to supervise their children, citing Family Code provisions on parental authority and on parents' civil liability, in certain cases, for damage caused by their unemancipated children.

The DCPO asked the public to stop circulating photos, videos and other details that could identify the students. Section 43 of RA 9344 requires records and proceedings involving children in conflict with the law to be kept confidential, while the Data Privacy Act of 2012 sets rules on how personal information may be collected and shared.

Rather than filming and posting such incidents, police urged residents to report them directly to authorities so officers can respond and keep people safe. The DCPO also called on young people to think carefully about their actions and on parents to strengthen their guidance.