Robin Padilla renews call for lower age of criminal liability after Tacloban shooting

Senator Robin Padilla urged fellow senators to work on amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and lower the age of criminal liability to 10 years old.

Padilla said the statement following the school shooting incident on Monday in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and seven others wounded.

The shooters were identified as students aged 14 and 15. Under Republic Act No. 9344, children 15 years old and below are exempt from criminal liability.

“Sa aking mga kasamang senador, sana bigyan niyo naman ho ng panahon at pagkakataon ‘yung aking panukala, i-amend na natin ‘yang Juvenile ano na ‘yan,” Padilla said to reporters.

(To my fellow senators, I hope you will give my proposal time and a chance—let’s finally amend the Juvenile Justice Act.)

“Kasi talagang ang dami na eh, nasa mukha na natin. Alam ninyo, hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas na merong ganiyan na yung edad eh ibinababa,” the senator added.

(Because there are really so many cases now, it’s in front of our faces. The Philippines is not alone in lowering the age [of criminal liability].)

Authorities said the 14-year-old shooter will be exempted from criminal liability pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, but will undergo appropriate intervention from the social welfare office.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-old will be evaluated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and if proven that he acted with discernment, appropriate cases will be filed against him.

Padilla said he has been sharing similar youth-related incidents online, including those involving rape, murder, and robberies on jeepneys.

If possible, the issue should be addressed in a special session, according to the senator.

“Immediate, kung ganito na nagagaya na tayo sa Amerika na may namamaril na sa loob ng paaralan, siguro ito yung panahon na kung seseryosihin natin ito, ito yung pang-special session,” Padilla said.

(Immediately. If we are now mimicking America, where shootings are happening inside schools, then if we are truly serious about this, this is the kind of issue that warrants a special session.)

Padilla argued that the Philippines has always been open to adopting best practices from other countries; therefore, he does not foresee any issue with lowering the age of criminal liability as well. –NB, GMA News