CEBU, Philippines - Along with numerous calls to amend the Juvenile Justice Law, Former Tarlac governor and senatorial candidate Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco said this will be one of her main advocacies in the Senate.
Cojuangco was in Cebu yesterday for the general assembly of barangay workers. She said that amendments should be made in the Juvenile Justice Law considering the increase in crime rates involving minors.
Cojuangco, former president of the Philippine Public Safety College which is the training and educational institution for the police, fire and jail services, said that she would need to look into the concern because she wants to understand why more minors are involved in crimes.
“I can’t decipher it. Could it be history lacking in education? Religion? Could it be that this is their easy way out from responsibilities?”
Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 states that those under 18 years old cannot be detained. But Cojuangco said that the adventurous phase of a youth starts at around 16 years old.
Cojuangco believes that there is a need to intensify education and consciousness on the matter.
“It pains a mother if her son ends up in jail, but it also pains a mother when she cannot discipline the child. There’s a law that prohibits certain age group to be detained. But you know, sometimes determination come from the support group, and that’s the parents and friends,” said Cojuangco who admitted being a strict mother herself.
Cojuangco, who delivered a message to more than 11,000 barangay workers in Cebu, highlighted their important role in society especially in public safety considering that they are the ones who know best the condition of their respective communities.
“Public safety is everybody’s concern.”
Cojuangco said that she believes public safety includes peace talk in Mindanao as well as other extensive efforts which start from a barangay up to the province.
Last September, the Cebu Provincial Board also proposed the amendments of the Juvenile Justice Law with more crimes reported in the province involving minors.— (FREEMAN)