Marcos Jr.: Probe violent crimes involving students

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has ordered agencies to look into the successive violent incidents involving students and to ensure that child protection policies are being implemented in schools.

Various sectors have raised concern over the recent criminal acts in schools, including the shooting of a 15-year-old student by her 18-year old ex-boyfriend in Nueva Ecija, the killing of a teacher by a Grade 12 student who had received a failing grade in Lanao del Sur and the beating of a nine-year-old Grade 3 student by high school students in Iligan City.

“The President ordered the DepEd (Department of Education), the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) to conduct a thorough investigation on this. Even the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) will help and will monitor to determine whether the child protection policy of DepEd is being implemented in schools,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

“There is really a need to investigate this, especially if minors are involved. Mental health is becoming an issue among the youth. We will not sit on this,” she added.

Asked for Malacañang’s stance on proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility, Castro said she has not spoken to Marcos about the matter.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, a child 15 years of age or younger at the time of the commission of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability. However, the child shall be subjected to an intervention program.