Group hits House version on youth offenders

MANILA, Philippines - A child welfare group on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to the House of Representatives version in amending Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, which lowers the age of criminal liability from 15 years old to 12 years old.

Akap Bata partylist said the House bill 6052 will only worsen the problem of juvenile offenders in the country.

"For the longest time, child advocates like us have been opposing the lowering of age of criminal liability for the main reason that this will not serve the best interest of our children," Akap Bata national secretary general Arlene Brosas said.

"Lowering the age of criminal liability will not resolve criminal and civil offenses that were supposedly committed by children. Intervention alone will never be enough in resolving juvenile delinquency in the country unless the socio-economic needs of children will be provided and that this problem will be addressed in a holistic and pro-child manner," she added.

Brosas, however, said their group welcomes the Senate version, saying it has some favorable provisions.

Some of the welcomed provisions by the group include funding youth detention home Bahay-Pag-Asa, exempting kids below 15-years old from criminal liability, putting-up JJW (Juvenile Justice and Welfare) Councils in every region among others. - Dennis Carcamo