Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian does not support moves to lower the age of criminal responsibility in the country.
Debate on amending Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 resurfaced after three students died and several others were injured in a shooting inside a high school in Tacloban City
The two suspects are minors, 14 and 15 years old.
Gatchalian said he has expressed his opinion on the issue during a congressional hearing in the past, stressing that he will enforce what is provided under the law.
Gatchalian said concerns about minors potentially being released are unfounded, saying the law is clear and DSWD has the responsibility to place them in facilities where proper interventions can be provided.
“Nasabi ko na po ito publicly during a congressional hearing na hindi po ako pabor doon. Ako kasi kung ano ang nakasaad sa batas ipapatupad ko yon. Yung pangamba ng maramimg tao na bakit ganon baka makalaya to hindi po yung batas napakalinaw at may responsibilidad ang DSWD na ilagay siya sa pasilodad para ang intervention na tama ay mangyari,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in the Tacloban shooting and assured them that the agency would provide psychosocial interventions and other necessary assistance.
The DSWD chief made the statement during his visit in General Santos City where he checked on the distribution of assistance to residents affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
PADILLA POINT
However, Senator Robin Padilla expressed a contrasting view, saying that the government must be proactive and not reactive in addressing crimes.
Padilla authored a proposed measure seeking to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to lower the age of criminal responsibility from to 10 years old from 15 years old.
He made the statement during an interview with GMA Regional TV One Mindanao while visiting earthquake survivors in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City on Tuesday, June 23, together with Senate Minority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.
“Hindi po ito usapin na ipakukulong o pahihirapan kailangang mapigilan kailangan nating tulungan ang ating mga kabataan na wag mapunta sa ganitong klaseng karumal-dumal na krimen,” Padilla said.
POLICE POSITION
The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, supports the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility but only to 12 years old.
To this, Padilla said;
“Pag-usapan po namin kasi sa ibang bansa 10 eh pero syempre kailangan din naming pag-usapan hindi naman pwede akong masunod kung papasa sa 12 okay na ako dyan.”
Cayetano also supported certifying the measure as urgent to expedite its discussion in the Senate in order to address the issue.
“I support 'yung sinasabi ni Senator Robin na gawing urgent kasi maraming aspeto, maraming kailangang gawin. Ang point, we cannot allow violence at home, in church, o sa school. Noong araw, 'yan 'yung mga ligtas na lugar. Pero sa ibang parte ng mundo, marami na sa school nangyayari, at ngayon nangyayari na rin sa atin. Kung ano man ang magiging final, gawing urgent, pag-usapan kaagad. Kung pwedeng mag-special session, bakit hindi mag-special session doon sa mga dapat pag-usapan,” Cayetano said.
