The Philippine National Police has backed a proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old, a move now gaining force after the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City.
PNP Information Chief and spokesperson PCol. Allen Rae Co made the statement during a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, June 23, after two minors, aged 14 and 15, were identified as suspects in the June 22 school shooting that left three people dead and 20 others injured.
“The PNP is supporting the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility,” Co said. Asked what age the PNP had in mind, he answered, “We are thinking 12 years old.”
Co said the police organization studied its data and saw a rise in children in conflict with the law. He said the PNP is already seeing problems involving minors and argued that some young offenders know what they are doing.
Under Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as amended by Republic Act 10630, a child 15 years old or below is exempt from criminal liability but must undergo intervention. A child above 15 but below 18 may still be exempt unless authorities determine that the child acted with discernment.
That distinction matters in the Tacloban case. Authorities said the 15-year-old suspect may undergo formal proceedings if found to have acted with discernment. The 14-year-old suspect, under the current law, would remain below the criminal responsibility threshold but may still be placed under child protection and intervention measures.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Bongbong Marcos has not fixed a specific age but is open to lowering the threshold. She said any version approved by Congress would be reviewed by the President and described 12 years old as a reasonable proposal.
For now, the law remains unchanged. The PNP has made its position clear, but Congress must still act before 12-year-olds can fall under criminal responsibility.
