MANILA, Philippines — Disinformation surrounding the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) led to widespread misconceptions that children in conflict with the law (CCL) are exempted from punishment, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.
He said Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, provides for the implementation of comprehensive juvenile intervention programs for children in conflict with the law.
The senator on Tuesday said the JJWA does not, in any way, empower children to commit crimes. It does not exempt minors from punishment and that parents may also be held accountable.
He issued the clarification following the Tacloban shooting incident on Monday, wherein two minor children opened fire at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three students and injuring 20 others.
The suspects—aged 14 and 15—are now in police custody. The minimum age of criminal liability under the JJWA is 15.
“At meron talagang accountability sa ilalim ng batas (And there's accountability under the law [for violators]," Pangilinan said.
"Marami kasi ang nagkakalat ng disinformation o maling impormasyon na pagka menor de edad ay walang pananagutan (A lot of people spread disinformation that minors have no accountability [if they commit crimes],” Pangilinan said during a Facebook Live with Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council Executive Director Tricia Oco.
Pangilinan and Oco said that the release of minor suspects also violates the law.
"Huwag na huwag nating bigyan ng mga maling impormasyon yung mga bata. Nakukuha din nila yan sa social media (We must not give children false information. They get it from social media),” Oco said.
“Kasi hindi po hindi totoo yun na pag meron kayong ginawang kasalanan, sorry, pakakawalan lang kayo (It's not true that if you commit crime, you will just be released),” she added.
