Press Release
January 23, 2019

FILE CHARGES VS PARENTS, CRIMINALS USING MINORS TO COMMIT CRIMES FOR THEM - GORDON

With the number of children in conflict with law increasing, Senator Richard J. Gordon called on law enforcers to file charges against criminals or syndicates using minors to perpetrate their nefarious activities as well as the parents of these children.

Gordon, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights found out during the first hearing conducted by the committee on proposals to lower the age of criminal liability that not one criminal using minors to commit crimes have been charged or convicted. The same goes for the parents of these children.

"Maraming mga bata ang ginagamit ng mga sindikato sa paggawa ng krimen, halimbawa sa pagbebenta ng droga. Dala ng kahirapan, napapasubo ang mga bata. Meron na ba kayong naikulong na yung mga bata inuudyukan ng mga matatanda dahil sila ang mga sindakato na nagsasabi na magnakaw ka, heto ang birth certificate para sa ganun e hindi ka naman makukulong. Walang na-convict sa PD 603 (Presidential Decree 603) na mga magulang o guardian na nagpabaya sa kanilang mga anak," he said.

Judges, who were among the resource persons during the hearing, admitted when Gordon asked them that not one charge have been filed before their courts against criminals using minors nor against parents or guardians for violation of Presidential Decree 603.

Gordon also pointed out that children used in the commitment of crimes could be used to testify against the criminals or syndicates but their safety should be ensured.

"Yung mga batang ginamit sa paggawa ng krimen ay pwedeng gawing witness laban dun sa mga taong gumamit sa kanya. Kailangan lang masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan. Kadalasan kasi sasabihan sila ng sindikato na 'Wag mo lang akong ituturo, pag tinuro mo ko di na kita bibigyan ng droga o babarilin kita.' Yung mga panakot na ganyan, yan ang mga nagpapalala ng problema," the committee chairman said.

"The essence of nation is to prepare the youth for the future. Children should be part of nation-building but they should also have accountability. One crime done by a young person is one too many," he added.

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