Dumaguete police chief, Supt. Dionardo Carlos, said they are finding difficulty in apprehending minors engaged in gang wars in the city because of Republic Act No. 9344 or the Anti-Juvenile Delinquency Act.

"Our hands are tied," Carlos said during the recent regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod when he was asked to shed light on the unabated and resurgence of gang wars involving the warring groups called "Bloods" and "Crips."

Carlos said most members of these groups are below 18 years, and are protected by the law, and if they commit infractions of these statutes, they can't be detained but only turned over to government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or to their parents. Carlos, however, assured that they're doing their best to respond to criminalities by having the entire 72 PNP personnel out in the field especially at night.

He said that, to prevent juvenile delinquency, everybody must be part of the solution, as this is not only a police but also a social problem.

Jose Chu Jr., a parent and officer of the Parents Teachers Association of Silliman University High School department, expressed his frustrations over the apparent inability of the police to curb violence involving these warring groups.

"We're helpless against them," Chu said, adding that if, indeed, there are vigilante groups in Dumaguete, he is willing to pay for their services in running against these groups.

Carlos explained that the Bloods and Crips have been clashing with each other since 1972. This originated in California, Chicago and parts of Europe, and the local boys imitated it.

He explained that members of the "Bloods" wear black shirts with red handkerchief or bandana on their forehead or hanging from back pockets, while members of "Crips" wear loose shirts, basketball shorts and sneakers with blue handkerchiefs in their back pockets.

The "Bloods" belong to prominent families and recruit their members in Silliman University, Foundation University, ACSAT and other private schools. "Crips" members belong to low income families and recruit their members from the Negros Oriental High School, Dumaguete City High School and other public high schools in Dumaguete, police said.

Carlos said that the hangout area of Crips members is the Freedom Park in front of the provincial capitol, while Bloods is at the El Camino in Piapi. The common area where these two groups meet and clash is the Gimmick. Carlos said the sons of Rep. George Arnaiz and Mayor Tata Villanueva of Bais City are members of the Bloods.*JG

back to top