Calls to lower the age of criminal liability following the Tacloban tragedy were rejected by Registered Psychometrician Stella Setier-Ferrarez.
She argued that reducing the age to 10 years old would undermine the purpose of Republic Act 9344, which protects children’s interests.
Ferrarez reminded that before the law was enacted, imprisoning children did not help reform them and instead worsened their behavior.
She stressed that children should be helped and rehabilitated so they can have the opportunity to change.
