Bishop fears dire consequences of lowered age of criminal liability

MANILA, Philippines – Religious leaders on Friday warned that lowering the age of criminal responsibility may adversely affect the future of children tagged as criminals.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the proposed law could worsen the future of a child, who will be criminalized, noting that it is not fair for the children.

“Ang masama sa batas, ‘pag ang bata natatakan na kriminal, dala-dala na niya yan. Wala na siyang kinabukasan kasi sinabing kriminal na siya,” Pabillo told reporters at the sidelines of a prayer rally at Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, Manila.

(What’s wrong with the law is that if a child is labeled a criminal, it will stick.  He or she will have a dim future because of the criminal tag).

“At ang bata nga na hindi pa pwedeng bumoto, hindi pwedeng magtrabaho, ngayon ay sinabi mong kriminal. ‘Yan ay hindi makatarungan sa mga bata,” he added.

(Besides, children are not allowed to vote, work and then they will be branded as criminals, that is not just).

Pabillo added that not only children but all criminals must undergo restorative justice or rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Minnie Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) lamented that lowering the age of criminal liability will kill the children’s future.

“Sinasabi nating ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan pero sa ganitong batas pinapatay na natin ang kanilang kinabukasan,” Calub, who was present in the rally, told the reporters.

(We say that children are the future of the country,  but this law kills the future of children).

Calub added that children must be given another chance especially children, who commit crimes came from low-income families. /gsg