Riot triggers probe of Pasay youth center

by human-rights panel

By Jonathan Mayuga

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday started investigating the alleged maltreatment of youth offenders at the Pasay City Youth Home following the reported riot inside the youth facility on Sunday night.

A quick reaction team sent by CHR Chairman Leila de Lima reported that aside from the poor ventilation and lack of electricity, youth offenders also experience tough handling from their supposed-to-be caretakers.  

The team, led by lawyer Glenda Canapi of the commission’s Child Rights Center, reported that many rooms lacked ventilation and electricity.

Canapi said the inmates were also barred from receiving visitors, watching television and even playing basketball.

Worse, she reported that the institution’s security personnel at one time used tear gas in dealing with the offenders. The use of tear gas allegedly triggered Sunday night’s rampage by two offenders aged 19 and 15, Canapi said.

De Lima said one of the “houseparents” treated the youth offenders harshly.

“We have to get to the bottom of what really caused the riot…of what seemed to be a violent reaction from these young people. What prompted them to react the way they reacted is one of our major concerns,” de Lima said.

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Riot triggers probe of Pasay youth center by human-rights panel

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday started investigating the alleged maltreatment of youth offenders at the Pasay City Youth Home following the reported riot inside the youth facility on Sunday night.