A child rights advocacy group in Davao City has opposed the move to lower the minimum age of criminality liability for minors.

Senator Robin Padilla has filed a bill that seeks to hold minors 10 to 17 years old criminally liable for heinous crimes such as murder and drug-related offenses.

However, child rights advocacy group Talikala has opposed the proposal, saying a child’s capacity to discern right from wrong must be considered carefully.

“Ang amoa, babag gyud mi nga ipaubos tungod dunay tan-awunon sa kapasidad sa usa ka bata nga moila kung sakto o mali. Ang atoa, tan-awon unta, senator, i-assess kung sakto ba ang pag-implementa sa balaod nato, duna ba’y kapasidad ang LGU nga motukod og Bahay Pag-asa, duna ba’y kapasidad ang mga social workers, duna ba’y mga psychologists nga mopatuman sa maong diversion program, duna ba’y allocation? Kung wala na, wala ta’y basehan nga usbon ang atoang balaod,” Talikala Executive Director, Jeanette Ampog, said.

The Tagum City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) admitted that they lack facilities like Bahay Pag-asa to handle children in conflict with the law (CICL) properly.

“Wala siya’y igong facility kung asa siya ibutang kasi children who committed heinous crimes… social worker ra man mi, wala mi baril, murag lisod pud ang amoa diri, naa mi sa intervention program and after care. Kinahanglan naa ta’y appropriate facility haom sa ilaha. Kung ibutang nato sa Bahay Pag-asa, mga petty crimes ra man na siya,” Tagum CSWDO Head, Sally Balili, said.

It can be recalled that three minors were involved in the killing of a student in Tagum City recently, which was why the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DDNPPO) supports lowering the age of criminal liability.

“Maybe, they need to take into consideration especially heinous crimes like rape where the respondent is minor, homicide and robbery. I-check nato kung okay pa ba ang procedure nga i-follow,” DDNPPO Spokesperson, Major Anjanette Tirador, said.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) also supports the measure, particularly for minors involved in serious crimes.

“Depending on the crime nga na-commit sa minor like murder o involved siya sa illegal drugs. Ato pud sigurong tan-awon kung unsa kabug-at ang iyahang salaod nga nahimo,” DCPO Spokesperson, Capt. Hazel Caballero Tuazon, said.

However, DCPO emphasized that the proposed bill still needs to be studied thoroughly and collaboration among all agencies concerned is necessary to address the challenges it presents.

“Bisan pa og nakasala na sila responsibilidad pud na nato nga protektahan sila sama sa akong giingon biktima pud na sila di pud na nila gusto nga himuon kung sakto ang pagpadako sa ilaha sa mga ginikanan dapat whole of nation of approach,” Tuazon added.

Under the existing Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 10630), criminal liability for minors begins at age 15 years and one day old, provided the minor acted with discernment. For repeat offenders aged 15 to 18 involved in lesser offenses, the law mandates community-based interventions.