Baguio: The city government, through the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), is strengthening its engagement with youth groups, including street gangs, to encourage participation in productive activities and help address aggressive behavior, graffiti, and vandalism. Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that he has directed the BCPO to expand its dialogue with youth groups to discourage involvement in criminal activities while promoting discipline and peace in the community.
According to Philippines News Agency, the mayor noted that the city is closely monitoring graffiti, observing that while not all graffiti is linked to criminal activity, some may be associated with gang behavior. He highlighted that graffiti can serve as a means of communication among criminal gangs, prompting him to instruct the BCPO to determine whether graffiti incidents are gang-related. BCPO Director Col. Ruel Tagel has begun reaching out to youth groups as part of this initiative.
BCPO information officer Maj. Marcy Grace Marron reported that nine groups have been identified for engagement so far. "We are inviting others to join the UNITY Alliance. We already held an engagement with them on June 30 together with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the office of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda," Marron stated. Members of the UNITY Alliance have expressed their commitment to support the BCPO's peace and order initiatives.
On July 5, members of the youth groups joined police officers in cleaning and repainting vandalized walls in New Lucban village. BCPO records indicate that some gang members in the city have been involved in vandalism, physical injuries, bullying, and theft. To redirect the youth toward more productive pursuits, the BCPO is coordinating livelihood training, employment, scholarship opportunities, and other community activities.
"We will continue to engage and monitor them. We can also include them in the Philippine National Police's Panag-aywan iti Kailyan Program," Marron added. City Ordinance No. 41-2008 prohibits unauthorized markings, writing, or drawings on property and imposes fines ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP5,000 and up to 30 days' imprisonment. Meanwhile, City Ordinance No. 99-2021 prohibits the establishment and operation of street gangs and the recruitment of minors to instigate violence and community disorder. Adult violators face a fine of PHP5,000, imprisonment of one to 30 days, or both.
Sheridan Athena Gajete, cluster head of the National Youth Commission for Region 1 and the Cordillera, welcomed the initiative, viewing it as an innovative approach to addressing gang-related issues. "This is good because the stigma that gangs are dangerous can be broken, and they will feel important as members of the community. Maybe converting their vandalism into creative paintings can also be considered," she said.
