MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said he supports the amendment of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act following the recent series of school violence that happened almost successively in the past weeks.
“Yes I am,” Remulla told reporters in an interview when asked if he’s agreeable to amending the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
According to Remulla, their studies show that juveniles are being used as drug couriers because of the general provision of the law that spares minors, aged 15 and below from criminal liability.
The interior chief would have to review the possible amendments with Congress along with the preferred age of responsibility.
Under Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, a child fifteen years of age or under at the time of the commission of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability. However, the child shall be subjected to an intervention program.
Whereas a child above 15 years but below 18 shall likewise be exempt from criminal liability and subject to intervention program, unless he/she has acted with discernment.
In such a case, a child shall be subjected to appropriate proceedings as dictated by law.
Shortly after the incident, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, principal author of the law clarified that it does not give children in conflict with the law a blanket immunity from crimes, pushing back against criticisms that it acts as a jail escape card.
“The law does not excuse criminal acts committed by minors. Accountability remains in place through intervention, rehabilitation, and appropriate legal processes,” he emphasized.
Sen. Robin Padilla, a staunch advocate of amending the law proposes to lower criminal responsibility to 10 years old. This targets minors aged 10-17 involved in heinous crimes allowing them to be subjected to criminal prosecution.
