We are duty bound to respect the rights of the youth. The National Youth Commission urges the authorities to conduct an independent investigation on the killing of a 17-year-old, Grade 11 male student in the recent drug bust operation in Kalookan City. "We want to curb the drug menace; however, we are alarmed by the deaths and injury of minors in the process," Usec Aiza Seguerra, NYC Chairperson points out. Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the Philippines ratified with the force of law in 1990, any child (defined as those below 18 years of age) alleged or accused of having infringed the penal law has the right to be presumed innocent until guilty according to law. In the same charter, no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The same provision reiterates the child's sense of dignity and worth. Similarly, Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act that protects the interest of children in conflict with the law, demands that the child be treated with humanity and respect and not to be subjected to torture or cruel or degrading treatment or punishment. "Under the Bill of Rights of our very own 1987 Philippine Constitution, it explicitly states the recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation building and mandates the promotion of their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. Hence, each child offender must undergo the due process of law," Seguerra said. According to Seguerra, "ang pagbuo ng isang independent investigating team kasama ang Department of Justice at Department of Social Welfare and Development upang matutukan ang mga kahalintulad na insidente ng pagkamatay ng mga kabataan na edad 18 taong gulang pababa ay hakbang na magbubunga ng kapanatagan sa mga apektadong pamilya at sa sambayanan," adds Seguerra. The NYC believes that we must put premium on young people’s right and protection most especially those who are below 18 years old. An immediate creation of an