In a recent statement, Senator Rafael Baron Duluc Rijo called for quick passing of an amber alert system focuses exclusively on minors. The system would adhere to internationally recognized standards. The bill calls for inter-institutional coordination, assigned responsibilities and prompt actions for locating missing children.
Highlighting the critical nature of the first hours following a child’s disappearance, Rijo underscored the necessity of issuing an immediate alert. “As a former judge and experienced lawyer, I’ve seen numerous cases where parents report their missing children, often to be met with responses like ‘maybe he’s just out with friends, let’s wait.’ Those initial hours can be crucial in determining whether the child is found or remains missing forever, as they are pivotal when someone goes missing,” he said.
Noting that this law should have been enacted much earlier in the country, the senator emphasized that limiting it to individuals under 18 years of age simplifies its approval and application. “I believe this is the best approach because when you include both minors and adults in one legislation, you must account for numerous differences.
The system is modeled on the Amber Alert System of the United States that was created when 9 year old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and subsequently murdered in Arlington, Texas in 1996. Her parents advocated for the creation of this emergency response network that could have saved their daughter’s life if it had existed at the time.
- Activation: Alerts are typically issued by law enforcement agencies when certain criteria are met, such as:
• The child must be under 18 years old.
• There must be reasonable belief that the child has been abducted or has disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
• There must be enough descriptive information about the child and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance to believe that a broadcast will assist in their location and safe return. - Broadcast: Once activated, the alert is disseminated through various channels including highway signs, television, radio, social media, and wireless devices. This widespread notification allows the public to aid in the search by reporting any relevant information or sightings.
- Effectiveness: The system has been credited with safely recovering numerous missing children across the United States and other countries that have adopted similar programs.
- International reach: While originated in the United States, many countries worldwide have adapted and implemented their own versions of child alert systems, reflecting the global recognition of its importance in protecting vulnerable children.
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20 March 2025