Marilyn Cahatol

A group of underaged boys huddle after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided a slum area beside Market-3 inside The Navotas Fish Port on January 16, 2019. 12  minors and 16 adults were arrested and face various drug charges. Vincent Go, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178220439966720190116-pdea-raid-boys-vg.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A group of underaged boys huddle after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided a slum area beside Market-3 inside The Navotas Fish Port on January 16, 2019. Twelve minors and 16 adults were arrested and face various drug charges. <em>Vincent Go, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police on Tuesday backed proposals to lower the age of criminal liability in the country, in light of more young Filipinos getting involved in crimes.</p><p>Speaking at a Palace press conference, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said they were in favor of lowering the age of criminal liability to 12.</p><p>This, after <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/22/alleged-school-shooting-reported-in-tacloban-1034">two teenagers allegedly ope</a>ned fire at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three students and injuring 13 others. </p><p>&quot;The PNP is supporting the lowering of the age of criminal liability. We are thinking, 12 years old,&quot; Co said.</p><p>In the Philippines, 15 is the minimum age of criminal liability, so those 15 years and 1 day above &quot;with discernment&quot; can be subjected to appropriate court proceedings.</p><p>One of the two suspects in the Tacloban shooting incident is above 15 years old. Hence, he will undergo regular trial.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/22/padilla-wants-age-of-criminal-responsibility-down-to-10-years-old-after-tacloban-school-shooting-1813">Padilla wants age of criminal responsibility down to 10 years old after Tacloban school shooting</a></div><p>&quot;Malinaw naman po sa batas natin na yung above 15 years old, siya po ay mag-undergo at most probably makikita ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) na he acted with discernment at siya po ay a-undergo ng regular trial, formal trial, but of course while observing yung child protection protocols,&quot; Co said.</p><p>Meanwhile, the 14-year-old shooter will mandatorily be committed to a child protection facility of the DSWD.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PALACE WEIGHS IN</strong></div><p><br/>The Palace said it had no official position yet on the lowering the age of criminal liability, but the President was open to such proposals.</p><p>&quot;Depende po yan kung ano yung makikitang bersyon ng Pangulo, kung ito naman ay makakabuti sa ating mga kabataan, sa pagpapatupad ng batas, sasang-ayunan na ng Pangulo ito,&quot; Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.</p><p>Castro herself said the proposed age of 12 is reasonable.</p><p>&quot;Sa ngayon walang posisyon ang Pangulo kung anong edad pero kung ang sinuggest nila ay 12 years old, ito ay reasonableng edad,&quot; she added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8e3mm2t3_WM?si=Ie44vsc4OlL1XlOp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police is supportive of proposals to lower the age of criminal liability in the country, in light with more young Filipinos getting involved in crimes.</p>

The Philippine National Police is supportive of proposals to lower the age of criminal liability in the country, in light with more young Filipinos getting involved in crimes.

PNP in favor of lowering age of criminal liability to 12

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PNP in favor of lowering age of criminal liability to 12

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 23, 2026 05:08 PM PHT

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Criminal Liability

PNP

Palace

Claire Castro

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