DSWD seeks public support for juvenile delinquents

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched a campaign seeking public support for children and youth who are in conflict with the law.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said DSWD’s Road to Diversion campaign seeks to make the public understand that children in conflict with the law are also victims of the crimes they perpetrated and should be given a chance at rehabilitation.

The Road to Diversion campaign was launched on Saturday along with the premier showing of three cinema plugs of “Give a Second Chance to Children in Conflict with the Law” at Trinoma Mall cinemas.

The cinema plugs will also be shown at SM cinemas in Metro Manila and in selected movie theaters in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City and Davao City during the Metro Manila Film Festival from Dec. 25 to 31.

The 30-second campaign plugs titled “The Road to Diversion of the Children in Conflict with the Law,” “Second Chance” and “Batang May Sala (A Child who Committed a Crime),” all depict the bright future that awaits children who have been rehabilitated through government intervention.

Soliman said the campaign was launched in view of the call for the lowering further of the age of discernment, or the minimum age for criminal liability, from 16 years old to 12.