DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla – Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)/Facebook.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday he supported proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility.
Remulla said the Juvenile Justice law had been used by criminal groups to exploit minors, including in illegal drug operations.
He said juveniles were allegedly being tapped as drug couriers because they could not be charged if caught under existing rules.
Remulla said the government still had to consult Congress on what age should be set for criminal responsibility.
Under Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, children 15 years old and below are exempt from criminal liability and are instead placed under intervention programs.
The law also provides that children above 15 but below 18 may be held criminally liable only if they acted with discernment.
The issue drew renewed attention after two students, aged 14 and 15, were linked to the deadly shooting at a Tacloban City high school that left three students dead and several others injured.
The two minors were placed under the custody of local police and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Remulla said authorities would consult the DSWD on whether the 15-year-old suspect could be tried as an adult.