Anne may panawagan sa gobyerno

Ang palakasin ang juvenile justice system ng pamahalaan kesa sa pababain ang edad ng mga batang paparusahan ang sentimyento ni Anne Curtis kahapon. Kilalang UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador si Anne at sinusulong sa House of Representatives na babaan ang edad ng mga batang ipakukulong sa 9 years old.

“The debate on lowering the age of criminal responsibility is up for talks in the Senate and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador it is my duty to raise awareness and lend my voice to support the call of the Council for the Welfare of Children, civil society organizations, professional associations, child protection experts, well-meaning citizens, parents and the youth.

“I stand with them for NOT lowering the criminal age of responsibility but instead supporting the full implementation of the current law of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

“I understand that there are those who see differently but if you could only try and discern that they are STILL CHILDREN, are victims of their circumstance and are still young enough to change their ways. “Children in conflict with the law are already victims of circumstance, mostly because of poverty and exploitation by adults.” Instead of being penalized, they should have access to proper rehabilitation - where they can be properly cared for to understand what they may have done wrong, learn to change their ways and be given a second chance at life. The proper implementation of the current Juvenile Justice Welfare Act has proven to have many success stories that @unicefphils has shared with me. It cannot fail IF IT IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED. “The JJWA does not see children in conflict with the law as criminals. Rather, it regards them as victims of their circumstances. This law has given these children hope – to change, to become better, and to work for a brighter future.” I stand with UNICEF Philippines as they call on the Government to work with child rights defenders and strengthen the juvenile justice system for the sake of all Filipino children. #ChildrenNotCriminals,” post niya sa kanyang FB account niya.

Halos ganito rin ang naging stand noon ni Miss Universe Catriona Gray na nagsabing “It was lack of child support, not poverty, that killed their dreams... We owe it to our children to believe in them.”