Child abuse suspect killed by cop escort Lawman says shooting was accidental By Tina Santos Philippine Daily

Inquirer First Posted 04:25:00 09/19/2008 Filed Under: Crime, Law & Justice MANILA, Philippines ? A 23-year-old suspect in a child abuse case was killed when he allegedly tried to grab the service firearm of his police escort early Thursday morning in Manila.The fatality, Raymund Benedict Burgos, an alleged member of the dreaded Sputnik Gang and a resident of Leyte Street, Singalong in Manila, succumbed to a gunshot wound on the neck.Burgos was reportedly shot by PO1 Jupiter Tajonera, 34, assigned at the Manila Police District-District Special Police Unit (DSPU) at the Manila City Hall. Burgos was an inmate at the DSPU.The lawman claimed the suspect tried to grab his gun, according to Chief Insp. Dominador Arevalo, head of the MPD homicide division.Arevalo said Tajonera voluntarily submitted himself for investigation and surrendered his firearm.An investigation showed that the incident happened around 4:35 a.m. on the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard near the corner of Kalaw Street in Ermita.Tajonera, along with PO1 Aurelio Neral III who was driving the patrol multi-cab, was taking Burgos to the Ospital ng Maynila for a checkup.Senior Insp. Marcelo Reyes, chief of the MPD-DSPU, said that prior to the incident, the inmate complained of severe stomach pains.Tajonera said he and Burgos were seated behind the driver when the suspect suddenly grabbed his gun, leading to a scuffle inside the vehicle.The gun accidentally went off, hitting Burgos on the

neck, according to Tajonera.The suspect was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Child Labor in Philippines

The term Child Labor means illegally employing children who are less than 18 years of age in dangerous and life threatening activities. Poverty is the main reason due to which children under the age of 18 years are compelled to work in dangerous and life threatening conditions. In Philippines there are about 2.06 million children who are forced to work in rock quarries, farms, industries, mines and on fishing boats. The consequences of Child Labor on an underage child can be numerous and crippling on his or her physical, mental and emotional state. It can seriously hamper the well being of a child who is supposed to get a sound education and nutrition to develop into a healthy adult. Due to Child labor these children end up being malnutritioned, weak and can also suffer from a large number of ailments.

The percentage of young people in Philippines between the age of five and seventeen is about 33 percent of its total population which comes to about 22.4 million. This is a large number considering that Philippines is a young nation. Between the ages of 5 to 7 years, one in every six children has to work to earn a living and help support his or her family. This astounding fact tells us that around sixteen percent of young children in Philippines are working. Child Labor is prevalent in mining, production, farming, and deep sea fishing industries and many children are also working as domestic workers.

Articles of the Rights of Filipino Child

Submitted By: Michelle P. lucero

Submitted to: Mrs. Elvira Domondon