Photo Release

Protect our children: Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin, Caloocan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Yniguez, child rights advocates and children from Barangay Payatas, Quezon City joined together on Monday to protest proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Hontiveros said the community leaders in Payatas have already figured out what will keep children from a life of crime -- it’s not making 12 year old children criminally liable but ensuring that there are nurturing homes that will give them a second chance in life. She added that to save children from a life of crime, the government should not put them behind bars and treat them as criminals. Put them in children’s shelters where they will get the needed guidance to become good citizens. (Photo by: Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)