Crime rates in the Philippines are increasing and children are getting involved and being abused by adults to do such crimes. Children are being abused and forced to do crimes because they are experiencing poverty. And now, Philippine Congress proposed that lowering the criminal liability to 9 years old can solve the issues about children getting involved in crimes. They said that the bill was proposed because of the alarming increase in the number of criminal syndicates using minors to do criminal acts.

Reducing the age of criminal liability will not dissuade adult offenders from abusing kids to commit crimes. The age of criminal accountability is an act of child violence. Children in conflict with the law are already victims of circumstances, mostly due to crime syndicates’ poverty and exploitation. It is necessary to protect children who are abused by adults to commit crimes, not to be further penalized. Rather, they need a second opportunity for reform and rehabilitation. Labelling kids as criminals eliminates the responsibility of adults responsible for protecting them. If we fail to comprehend the fundamental reason why and how kids are committing offenses, we fail our kids as adults.

According to UNICEF Philippines, they will not be taught accountability for their actions by detaining kids. Children need to grow up in a caring, nurturing and protective setting in order to maximize their ability to contribute to nation-building. This needs powerful parenting support programs and access to health, education and social facilities, as well as justice and social welfare systems that are sensitive to children.

Despite all the facts stated above, children ages 9 should not be punished. In order to lessen the crime rate committed by children, the government should: Children who comitted such serious crimes, they should be involve in Church social actions, community services in the diversion programs on barangays and judicial administrations. And imposing criminal liability to those parents, that if proven that the parents of the children who committed crime were remiss in their duties of care and vigilance.

#ChildrenNOTCriminals