PNP backs lowering of age of criminal liability

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is supporting the plan to amend the law prescribing the age of criminal liability, noting recent crime incidents committed by minors.

“We are supporting that proposal of the good senator. We are just getting inputs from the regions and the legal service,” PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said at a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has filed Senate Bill 2026, which seeks to amend Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 that exempts children 15 years old and below from being jailed.

Sotto believes this is too old, even by international standards, and wants to lower the age of criminal liability to 13 years old.

He said a study conducted by the Child Rights International Network maintained that the average minimum age of criminal responsibility in Asia and Africa is 11, while in the United States and Europe it is 13.

Albayalde said some countries do not put a limit on the age of people with criminal liability.

“Remember in many foreign countries, they have no age limit… theirs is even 6, 7 and 10  in some European countries. Mexico is 6, in United Kingdom 10. I think we will fully support lowering the age of criminal responsibility that they are pushing now,” he noted in mixed Filipino and English.

Some minors reportedly attacked people along EDSA near Guadalupe recently. CCTV footage also showed a boy climbing atop a taxi caught in EDSA traffic.

Footage of CCTV were also shown where “batang hamog” try to grab food from jeepney passengers and an old man in Pasay City.