MANILA – Lowering the age of criminal liability from the current 15 years old is necessary as young children are being used by drug syndicates in their operations, President Rodrigo Duterte said.
In a speech in Lucena City on Tuesday evening, the President made reference to a drug raid in Navotas City on Jan. 16 where 12 children, aged four to 15 years old, were rounded up by the police.
“Ang nagme-maintain ngayon ng shabu ang mga bata. Kung may parokyanong makita niya at naghahanap, dadalhin nila doon, pahithitin nila. Sila na ang kokobra, pati ang mga bata shoot na rin sila. As young as 6, 8, 9, 14,” Duterte said.
He added: “Tapos sabihin mo sa akin sa human rights ‘there’s son of a bitch lying dead there.’ ‘Yan lang ang worry mo? Tapos sinisira ang bayan ko? Putangina mo. What are you doing to my country? It is self-preservation of the Filipino people.”
The House of Representatives’ Justice committee on Monday voted 9-1 to approve a bill which seeks to lower the age of criminal liability to nine years old from the existing 15 years old.
Several lawmakers, the Commission on Human Rights and child rights groups have opposed the bill with the United Nations Children’s Fund pointing to the lack of evidence and data that children are responsible for the increase in crime rates committed in the country.
While Duterte did not mention what specific age he wants to lower the criminal liability.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo earlier said it will be Congress’ call to determine the age./PN
