CHR exec to cops: Intensify ops vs drug syndicates exploiting children | Inquirer News

 CHR exec to cops: Intensify ops vs drug syndicates exploiting children

By: - Reporter / @ConsINQ
/ 06:54 PM January 23, 2019

MANILA, Philippines – The government must intensify police operations against drug and crime syndicates to prevent children from being exploited by crime groups, an official of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Wednesday.

“What will stop syndicates from using children below 9 years old then?” CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said in a statement.

“The best way to address this is to intensify police operations against individuals and syndicates who continue to target the vulnerabilities of children and use them as instruments for their crimes,” said Gana.

Article continues after this advertisement

The House of Representatives earlier this week approved a bill that will lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to nine.

FEATURED STORIES

Bahay Pag-asa

Gana said the government must also improve the funding of Bahay Pag-asa which are rehabilitation hubs for children in conflict with the law.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Rather than arbitrarily adjusting the age, we must be able to fully implement the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as well as address the gaps in the implementation of the law, such as funding the establishment of Bahay Pag-asa (House of Hope) across the country that are meant to be rehabilitation hubs for children in conflict with the law (CICL),” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Bahay Pag-asa centers must “deliver interventions that would stop a child offender from repeating offenses,” Gana said.

Article continues after this advertisement

‘Simplistic response’

She added that the bill to lower the age of criminal liability is a ‘simplistic response’ to address the complex issue of juvenile delinquency.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Lowering the age of criminal responsibility be it to 9 or 12 years old is a simplistic response that disregards the complexity of juvenile delinquency,” Gana said. / gsg

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: CHR

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.