‘Lowering criminal liability age will not reduce juvenile crime’

National

THE Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) has rejected renewed proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

The council cited studies showing that lowering the age of criminal responsibility would not effectively deter crimes involving children.

“Lowering the age does not automatically mean children will stop committing these acts,” JJWC Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco said in an Inquirer.net report.

Oco said children in conflict with the law are often driven by poverty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation by adults.

She added that children are increasingly exposed to social media where violence may appear normalized.

“Even adults can be misled by social media. Children are even more vulnerable because their minds are still developing,” Oco said.

The council said strengthening child protection systems, family support, education, and community-based intervention programs would be more effective than lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

“Guidance from families and communities remains critical in preventing violent behavior among young people,” Oco added.

The council also said the existing juvenile justice system already provides accountability while prioritizing rehabilitation and reintegration.

The statement came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed concerns about proposals to amend Republic Act No. 9344, with Malacañang saying his position would depend on the final version of the bill passed by Congress.

Republic Act No. 9344, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old.

Before the law’s enactment, the Revised Penal Code had placed the minimum age of criminal responsibility at nine years old.(Feirnchae Mingoy Lim, UP Cebu Comm Intern)