Marcos calls for careful review of proposed changes to minors' criminal liability

VANCOUVER, Canada — President Marcos on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) said any move to lower the minimum age of criminal liability must be carefully studied, even amid a spate of deadly school violence.

Speaking to reporters after his four-day official visit to Canada, Marcos said authorities must first determine why some minors appear to have diminished emotional or fear responses.

“I’m not sure how that will work. We have to study it further: child psychologists, surveys being conducted, mental health of children. Those must be studied carefully,” he said.

READ: Younger suspect in Tacloban school shooting not criminally liable — DSWD

Marcos cautioned that the proposal may imply that “children have changed from before,” but it must be clear first what triggers some children to sow violence.

“I’m not saying that’s not the case. It’s possible. The world has changed. Children’s exposure has changed. Their exposure to social media has changed,” Marcos added. “Maybe that has an effect. We’re not sure. But we’re studying it very well because of the effects of desensitization.”

READ: Minors with serious offenses undergo discernment: What this means

Marcos noted experts’ opinions matter, adding that he would consider the proposal if the underlying issues are addressed properly.

“When it is clear that a certain game or class of games are responsible for the desensitization of our children to violence, then yes, I think we should ban them and we will ban them,” he added.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for a measure seeking to ban social media for children below 16 years old following the spate of violent incidents involving minors.

The Senate committee on social Justice, welfare and rural development will also conduct a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (Republic Act No. 9344), applying the principle of restorative justice.

In 2013, the law was amended by RA 10630, which created childcaring institutions called Bahay Pag-asa and set the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15.

The law exempts a child 15 years of age or under at the time of the offense from criminal liability, but subject to an intervention program. Those older than 15 but below 18 are subject to the court’s determination of offenders’ discernment.

Marcos earlier called for a collective effort to safeguard the youth and prevent school-related violence, including the June 22 shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City that claimed the lives of three students. —PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

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