PNP, Palace back lowering age of criminal liability to 12

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday expressed support for calls to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and lower the age of criminal liability to 12 years old.

PNP Information Chief and spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said this in a Palace briefing, in response to the call of Senator Robin Padilla to lower the age of criminal liability after the fatal shooting incident in San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose in Tacloban City on Monday.

“The PNP is supporting the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility,” Co said.

Asked which age the PNP is referring to, he said, “We are thinking 12 years old.”

The suspects in the Tacloban school shooting, which killed three individuals, were identified as minors aged 14 and 15.

Under Republic Act No. 9344, children 15 years old and below are exempt from criminal liability.

Marcos favors

During the same press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is also supporting calls to lower the age of criminal responsibility.

“Wala pa pong napag-uusapan tungkol sa edad, pero ang sabi nga natin, kung anuman ang maibibigay na version ng Kongreso, titingnan po ‘yan ng Pangulo,” Castro said.

(Nothing has been discussed regarding the specific age yet, but the President will look into whatever version the Congress would approve.)

“Pero sa ating pagkakaalam, yes, open ang Pangulo kung mabababa man ang edad po,” she added.

(But as far as we know, yes, the President is open to lowering the age of criminal liability.)

Malacañang said that the suggestion of the PNP to lower the age of criminal liability to 12 years old seems “reasonable.”

“Kung sina-suggest nila ay 12 years old, ito ay resonableng edad,” Castro said in a press conference.

(If the PNP is suggesting 12 years old, then that is a reasonable age.) —RF, GMA News