Unicef to Philippines: Enforce juvenile justice law fully

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday urged the Philippine government to fully implement the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 as it opposed the measure lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years.

UNICEF Philippines representative Lotta Sylwander opposed the government’s move to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 12.

“If the law is amended, we will see young kids going to prison and trained basically as criminals. They will leave prison as hardened criminals instead of being restored back to their normal childhood,” Sylwander said.

She said lawmakers may have been given incorrect information as she noted that the crime rate involving minors has gone down worldwide. 

The House of Representatives has approved on final reading the bill lowering the age of criminality liability from 15 to 12. The counterpart measure in the Senate remains pending.

UNICEF has decried the bill, saying it would be “an act of violence against children.”

It said there is lack of evidence and data that lowering the age of criminal responsibility will deter crimes among children. 

UNICEF named TV host Daphne Oseña and actress Anne Curtis as goodwill ambassadors for their support in promoting children’s rights and championing advocacies for the youth.  

Meanwhile, President Duterte has expressed support for the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Preventive Drug Education curriculum under the K-12 program.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones presented during the Cabinet meeting the curriculum and its efforts on the campaign against drugs dubbed “Barkada kontra droga.”

The DepEd sought the establishment of barkada centers as well as school-based activities such as poster-slogan making and counseling to boost the administration’s anti-drug drive.

Briones said the DepEd will pursue drug testing for teachers and high school students despite concerns raised by some groups. – With Pia Lee-Brago