Lowering age of criminal liability not for children's best interest —child rights group

Lowering the age of criminal liability -- be it nine or 12 years of age -- is "against the best interest of the Filipino children," said the Child Rights Network (CRN) on Wednesday.

"It is not the solution to both the problems of children being involved in and children being used for criminal activities. This proposed measure is anti-poor, anti-human rights, and anti-children," the CRN said in a statement.

Aside from possible trauma that the children may get from being subjected to the "flawed justice system" in the country, the law would strip off the minors of learning and employment opportunities, it added.

The group also said that the measure was misguided and uncalled for, citing data from the Philippine National Police which shows that only 1.72 percent of reported crimes in the country are committed by children.

Instead of "targeting the children," CRN appealed to the administration to focus on resolving the root causes of the problem.

The group also reiterated doubts on the capacity of the existing youth rehabilitation centers to effectively cater to the needs of the children in conflict with the law.

"The government should instead focus on strengthening the implementation of the JJWA and on improving the facilities for children in conflict with the law," it added. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News