22/12/2020
CWC APPEALS TO CEASE CONDEMNATION TOWARDS THE CHILD OF THE POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED IN THE KILLING OF SONIA AND FRANK GREGORIO
In the wake of the senseless killing of Sonia and Frank Gregorio on December 20, 2020 in Paniqui, Tarlac, by Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) appeals to the public to spare the child of the police officer from condemnation and cyberbullying as caught in the video.
The child's behavior may have infuriated people, having spewed unintended words during the incident's filming. However, the child's cognitive ability to control emotional impulse and regulate emotions are still under development at the early stage of her childhood.
We must understand that the child's behavior may be evident of her observational learning towards her environment and by learning through the authority figures in her life. In a simpler context, a child's behavior, in general is a product of his or her environment. It will reflect the kind of parenting he/she received, how the key persons in his/ her life behave and interact with one another, and possibly being raised in a prevailing culture of violence that tolerates impunity.
Alarmingly, the child has also witnessed the violent act committed by her own father towards his victims.
In the 2016 Systematic Literature Review of the Drivers of Violence Affecting Children, experiencing or being exposed to violence also increases the risk that a child may use or experience violence against partners, peers and family members.
Being a victim of violence itself, the child must be accorded with appropriate intervention and rehabilitation to help her process the aftermath of the traumatic incident and reflect on her actions.
Bashing, sharing her pictures, and inciting further judgment through social media will not help the child learn the consequences of her actions. Children have the right to be protected from all kinds of violence, including cyberviolence. Instigating condemnation and negative reaction towards her will make us no different from the real perpetrator who should be held accountable.
CWC continuously reiterates that children are not little adults, and we should recognize and address the underlying factors that drive children to behave in such way. Most importantly, CWC continuously calls for positive parenting, which teaches courtesy, non-violence, empathy, self-respect, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS.
Being the primary duty bearer of children's rights, the State has the responsibility to care for and protect them against improper influences, hazards, and other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to their development.
We must focus on the real issue at hand – to MAKE THE POLICE OFFICER LIABLE INSTEAD OF CRUCIFYING THE CHILD FOR HER BEHAVIOR.
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