Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, the principal author of the law setting the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old, maintained that the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act does not exempt children in conflict with the law from accountability.
In a statement, Pangilinan said minors who commit crimes are subjected to mandatory interventions and stressed that releasing them without undergoing these processes is prohibited under the law.
“May pananagutan. May proseso. May mga intervention upang matiyak na hindi na ito mauulit. May pananagutan din ang mga magulang. May tungkulin naman ang pamahalaan—sa pamamagitan ng DSWD at iba pang ahensya—na magbigay ng suporta sa mga biktima, kanilang mga pamilya,” Pangilinan said.
He added that authorities who release minors involved in crimes without the required interventions could face sanctions.
“Iligal ang pakawalan ang menor de edad na nasangkot sa krimen at may parusa sa mga gagawa nito,” he said.
Pangilinan issued the statement after Sen. Robin Padilla renewed calls to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, including proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility.
The issue resurfaced following a shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City on Monday morning, where two teenagers allegedly opened fire, leaving three people dead and 11 others injured.
Despite growing calls to revisit the law, Pangilinan emphasized that the challenge lies in ensuring its full implementation rather than spreading fear and misinformation.
“Ang tunay na hamon ay hindi ang pagpapakalat ng takot at disinformation, kundi ang ganap na pagpapatupad ng batas at pagtiyak na may hustisya, accountability, at proteksyon para sa lahat ng bata,” he added
