The law will catch up

Egay Uy .

IN a letter dated Sept. 6, 2019 to the Regulatory and Complaint Board, Capt. Tessie Landocan Lleva, commander of Police Station No. 2 (Cogon), reported about the arrest of six persons inside Kobe Lodge in Agora, Lapasan for having a pot session. 

The letter reads in part: “It has come to our attention that certain hotel establishments in the city still allow minors to occupy rooms in their establishments even without asking for pertinent identification or even when not accompanied by their parents or guardians.

“This observation is evident in our anti-criminality campaign especially on anti-illegal drugs and anti-trafficking in worm and children operations.  Just recently we were able to conduct anti-illegal drugs operation at the Kobe Lodge, located at Agora, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City after a reliable tip of an on-going pot session inside Room 18 of the said establishment.

“As a result, six persons were arrested, or which four were found to be minors.  However, respecting RA 9344 or the law governing CICL, the minors were subjected to diversion proceedings and it is incumbent upon them to be referred to the Tahanan ng Kabataan for the temporary detention pending a finding or discernment before a criminal complaint can be instituted against them while treated under preliminary investigation with the City Prosecution Office. x x x

“This office is keeping vigilant over these erring establishments and shall continue police operations to rescue exploited minors and run after criminal elements conducting nefarious activities inside the comfort and convenience of hotels.”

The spot report of the operation shows that Capt. Lleva herself led the operation. It is for this and similar reasons – because of the support and relentless operation also conducted by the Cocpo – that the Regulatory and Complaint Board has become more effective in the daily pursuit of its mandate under city ordinances.

Erring establishments be warned.  The RCB is looking into the responsibilities of operators of hotels, motels, lodging houses, inns, and similar establishments that cater to minors in violation of laws and ordinances, and whose premises are being used as venues for illegal and criminal acts.

Sooner, not later, the long arms of the law will catch up on you.

(Egay Uy is a lawyer. He chairs the City’s Regulatory and Complaint Board, co-chairs with the city mayor the City Price Coordinating Council, and chairs the city’s Joint Inspection Team. He retired as a vice president of Cepalco.)