30 Children Released from Prison

March 1, 2006

About 30 children detained at Camp Karingal were freed, whose ages ranged from 8
years to 17 years, together with mothers, one of who was bringing her 4 or 5 year old
child, and so many others amounting to 80 persons. Some of the minors were vagrants
who were merly loitering around during the rallies being held along EDSA that day.

Some were passengers in jeepneys that were presumably going to the Edsa shrine. The
jeepney drivers were picked up for traffic violations. But the police included the
passengers, many of whom were children. Other children were students or companions of
their parents participating in the rallies. They were all herded throughout the day into
Camp Karingal. Some during the morning rallies and others during the afternoon. They
were not fed or given water to drink. It is good that the ngos arrived and provided what
they could. At the end of the day, although there were 20 lawyers for Randy David, there
were at least 4 of pro—bono lawyers, led by Eric Mallonga, who worked for the release of
the other detainees as well. They were successful in having all the detainees, especially
the children, released that same day.

On the same week, the cases of at least 7 minors who were detained at Manila Youth
Reception Center (MYRC) were heard at the courts of Judge Socorro Inting and Judge
Nimfa Vilches.

1. MJG and ELB were charged with grave threats and trespass to dwelling. Through the
intervention of Eric Mallonga, the cases were provisionally dismissed by J. Vilches. They
had been detained for 7 months. They will be monitored by Virlanie social workers.

2. RA, 12 years old, was charged with Theft of P300, which was recovered. He was
confined for already 3 months. His case was provisionally dismissed today after a hearing
with J. Vilches. He is now with Virlanie Foundation for shelter, education and other
necessities. His parents
are not interested in him.

3. JM, 12 years old, charged with Robbery (snatching gold earrings worth P1,500. He was
detained for 1 month. Motions for Virlanie to be given custody during his suspended
sentence and the destruction of records after his rehabilitation were granted by Judge
Inting. He is now with Virlanie for shelter, education and all necessities. His parents are
not interested in him.

4. MI, 13 years old, charged with Theft for getting the cellphone of a woman. Motion for
suspended sentence to be served with his parents, who were there at the hearing, subject
to monitoring by Virlanie Social workers, and the destruction of the records after
rehabilitation, was granted by Judge Inting.

5. AC, 15 years old, was charged with Robbery for snatching earrings worth P1,000.
Motion for his suspended sentence with his parents, who were there at the hearing,
subject to Virlanie monitoring and destruction of records upon completion of rehabilitation,
was granted.
6. MM, 17 years old, was charged for Attempted homicide for pulling out a knife on a
friend, who was much bigger than him and who was actually bullying the minor. He was
detained since February 3. With the complainant's desistance, the case was dismissed
and the minor released to his parents.