War on drugs seen to lower CICL
THE CAMPAIGN against illegal drugs is seen to curve cases of children in conflict with law.
Aside from the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said the present administration’s war against drugs is seen solve the cases of children involved in crimes.
"I think right now the President's campaign against drugs is an effective way addressing the issue of children being in conflict with the law as we jail drug traders who use children," said Roque.
Roque, during his visit in the city, said President Rodrigo Duterte remains firm in his stand in the Juvenile Justice Act of 2006 which states children below 15 years old who commit serious offenses like murder, rape, or robbery should be to correctional facilities.
The debate in the
lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 years to nine years old remain pending in the Lower House introduced by Irwin Tieng, Mariano Velarde and Jose Atienza Jr.
In the Cordillera Adminstrative Region, a total of 325 number of CICL cases in the whole region were recorded by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera in 2017 perpetrated by minors as young as 12 to 15 years old. At least 17 minor drug surrenderers were also recorded last year.
The lowering of age of criminal liability has gained opposition from the Department of Social Welfare Development Office – Cordillera.
Rogerson Fernandez of DSWD – CAR emphasized the future of CICL is collective action of the agency and the community.
Sablan Center Head Social Welfare Officer Johnny Bumakil said there must be a strengthen parenting effectiveness which is more helpful than bringing youth offenders to justice system.
“At least legislate a law or pass a bill that will strengthen mandatory parenting,” said Bumakil.