By Maria Alanna D. Cargullo, Yedda Marie M. Arcenal, and Diana Chelsi C. Collado

Eyeing for the stricter enforcement of the nationwide curfew policy under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, "OPLAN RODY" or Rid the streets of Drinkers and Youth aim for national safeness and public order that President Duterte was vowed for all Filipinos.

Political Science Professor Richard Talento said that after the implementation of the law, it should have a feedback in order to know if the law itself is effective; and that is through a report of statistical data regarding crime rate, juvenile delinquency rate, and the youth victimization in order to measure its success as an effective law.

However, for Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) who opposed the policy, ‘children in conflict with law also have rights as a child.’ They advised that instead of focusing on punishments, the government should focus on providing accessible child services, adequate housing, and decent livelihoods.

SPARK spokesperson Joanne Lim said that the curfew policy is not the exact solution to solved the problems specifically criminality. She said that other problems such as minimum wage and education must be solved.

According to United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are 11 percent or 1,469 out-of-school children have been reported from 2009 up to 2013.

Moreover, Lim said that the youth and the citizen should also help in addressing the problems. “The youth and the citizens should remain vigilant and active in monitoring any human rights violations as brought about by the implementation of the curfew ordinances in other municipalities,” she stated in an email sent to the FEU Advocate.

On the other hand, the authorities are also looking for the participation and support of the citizens in the policy to achieve the peace and order in the country.

However, if there are no reforms done on the policies that only claim to protect the rights of the youth, then it cannot be assured that they will have a better tomorrow.

- With reports from Christiaan P. Cajocson and Rustom John B. Doon