Duterte: Kids as young as six into illegal drugs
Credit to Author: ggaviola| Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:51:07 +0000
MANILA, Philippines – Some children as young as six years old are already involved in the illegal drugs trade, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Tuesday, a day after a House panel approved a bill that would lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9.
So what happened five days ago showed that those who maintain drug [laboratories] were kids, as young as six, eight, nine and 14. Duterte said in a speech before local leaders in Lucena City.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), on January 16, rescued 12 minors in a drug operation in Navotas City.
PDEA Chief Director General Aaron Aquino said Duterte almost cried when he a saw a video of the minors being rescued in the operation.
Aquino said the President was set to meet the minors.
The issue on minors involved in crimes sparked public debate as the House of Representatives’ Justice Committee o approved a bill that would lower the age of criminal responsibility nine.
READ: Amid jeers, House panel OKs lower age of criminal liability
Duterte, who has slammed the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, has repeatedly said he wanted to lower the age of criminal responsibility but has been silent on the issue since the House panel passed the bill./gsg