By Patrick Tulfo
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE WELFARE LAW NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED
The shooting incident in Tacloban City, Leyte, which resulted in the death of three students and injured fifteen others, remains a hot topic.
Many are now calling for a review of the “Juvenile Justice Welfare Law” authored by Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
One of the main points being targeted for amendment is the age of children involved in crimes. For example, Senator Robin Padilla proposes lowering the age of criminal responsibility to ten years old.
Our emotions may be running high, especially among parents, but this needs to be studied carefully. For instance, if we base it on data from the PNP or barangay, what age group of children are most frequently apprehended for breaking the law?
What crimes are these children involved in? This should be the basis for how the Juvenile Justice Welfare Law will be reviewed, aside from other standards already written in the law.
Another aspect that needs attention is the accountability of parents or guardians for their children’s mistakes. Are these children from so-called dysfunctional families where they do not learn or receive proper guidance from those raising them?
As previously written, parents or families play a significant role in shaping their children. How can children grow up well if they are not guided by adults?
Perhaps parents proven to be negligent in raising their children can be charged.
This would serve as a warning that they could be imprisoned if they fail to fulfill their responsibilities as parents.
The state or government could also take custody of children neglected by their parents, as is done in developed countries like America, and place them in foster homes.
However, this still needs thorough study, as it might be abused by parents who only want to have children but doesn’t want the responsibility that goes with it.