TACLOBAN CITY – The move of senators to amend Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, is supported by council members of this city as it has become an evident excuse of some criminal minds to use children as their instrument to commit crimes as children under said law are not liable to any criminal liability.
The councilors during their recent regular session, unanimously approved a resolution authored by Councilor Niel Glova to support the move of the Senate, particularly Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the committee on justice and human rights.
“This is very laudable and timely to amend said law,” said Glova.
Glova added that there were instances that youth offenders have with them a birth certificate to show that they are underage and are not liable to criminal liability.
RA 9344 provides that youth offenders aged 15 to 18 are not liable from any criminal charges, except if they committed an act with discenment.
However, even if they are underaged the law also provides that they are not exempted from criminal liability but not on the same level as the liability of adult offenders.
Releasing a youth offender involved in serious criminal offense is also a violation of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act.
“We hope that this law will be amended immediately, but it only needs a remedial measure in order to strengthen it,” Glova added.
Concern of amending RA 9344 had been among the topics in the previous sessions of the city council after several incidents of wrongdoings were perpetuated by children who are said to be used by some adults.
Among the proposed amendments on said law is to lower the age covered by the law from 15 years old to nine years old, which is on the provisions of the Revise Penal Code as amended by the Child and Youth Welfare Code.
RA 9344 was made into law in 2006, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Among its provisions is for the local government units to provide rehabilitation or intervention program especially if the youth offenders are repeaters.
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