Robredo: Children need help, not criminal punishment

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said that minor offenders are in need of help, not criminal punishment, amid the proposal in Congress to lower the age of criminal liability in the country from 15 years old to nine.

"Sa ating mga kasamahan na mga mambabatas, iyong lowering the age of criminal liability, maawa naman po tayo sa ating mga kabataan,” Robredo said in a radio interview on RMN.

"Imbes na parusahan natin sila, tulungan natin—tulungan natin na makapagbagong buhay," she added, opposing the administration's position which sees the move as a measure to abate the rising number of crimes committed by minors.

The House of Representative's Committee on Justice will tackle House Bill No. 505 which would amend the Republic Act 10630.

If the bill passes, children as young as nine years of age could be held criminally liable for offenses.

Robredo said that juvenile delinquents should be given attention by creating legislation that would strengthen support programs for them.

Moreover, she urged the authorities to instead focus on effectively implementing the existing juvenile justice laws.

Several human and child rights groups have already condemned the proposal to lower the age of criminal liability to nine years old. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News