- Davao City juvenile delinquency cases continue to decrease: DCPO
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) has reported a downward trend in juvenile delinquency cases over the last two years, attributing the decline to stricter enforcement of local ordinances and effective social rescue interventions.
Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security Press Briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, June 24, DCPO spokesperson Major Teresita Gaspan disclosed that Davao City recorded only 22 children in conflict with the law (CICL) cases from January to May 2026.
Contrast that with the 82 cases recorded in 2025 and 93 cases in 2024.
Given the steady contraction of youth-related offenses, Gaspan doubts the effectiveness of the ongoing legislative proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal liability.
“In terms of lowering the age of discernment, I don’t think that is favorable,” Gaspan said, pointing to the city’s improving numbers.
She noted that while any level of juvenile crime remains “somewhat alarming,” the continuous drop proves that existing localized programs are yielding positive results.
DCPO data revealed that of the 22 cases recorded so far this year, 16 have already been solved, while six are considered cleared.
Demographic breakdowns show that male minors consistently comprise the overwhelming majority of offenders, accounting for 20 of the 22 cases in 2026, compared to just two females.
In terms of age distribution, older adolescents remain the most vulnerable demographic, with 15 of the current year’s cases involving minors aged 15 to 17. Only five cases involved 12-to-15-year-olds, and two cases involved children aged 9 to 11.
Regarding the current legal status of the 2026 offenders, police records indicate that 10 minors were arrested, seven were released, and five remain at large.
Gaspan emphasized that the police force does not rely solely on punitive measures, balancing law enforcement with rehabilitation.
The DCPO closely coordinates with the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO), deploying a Quick Response Team to rescue unsupervised street children before they can be exposed to or engage in criminal activities.
For minors who face formal charges, institutional custody is handled systematically.
“Considering that cases will not be filed against [all of] them, what we are doing for those with filed cases is placing them in Bahay Pag-Asa,” Gaspan added.
