By
Rey Anthony H. Chiu
BOHOL, Feb 26 (PIA)—The Provincial
Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in Bohol wants to propose some amendments to the
Juvenile Justice Law (JJL) which has become a problem for law enforcers.
In a special meeting of the PPOC on February 19, Bohol governor Edgar Chatto said, “in principle, the PPOC is in a unanimous position for the amendment, but we have not gone to the specifics and the nitty-gritty of the proposals.”
With many unresolved issues packed in the juvenile justice law, the PPOC-Bohol approved en masse a motion to form a committee to propose necessary amendments and consolidate those to firm up the law.
The small group is tasked to consolidate all proposed amendments for the PPOC to come up with a proposed amendment package, Chatto added.
“I think this is the right time to push for amendments while Congress takes an election recess and will be ready to tackle on the proposals as they convene after the polls,” Chatto noted.
Bohol Police Director Constantino Barot bared that a huge portion of crimes in Bohol have involved minors, below 18.
PPOC-7 members also shared that criminal elements that saw the flaws in Republic Act 9344 or the act establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System, are now using minors to commit crimes.
The Juvenile Justice Law exempts a child below 18 years from criminal liability but subjects the child in conflict with the law to an intervention program.
While the law has already taken effect, the state still has to put up intervention facilities to properly address the issues of these children in conflict with the law, this is learned.
Barot admits that while minors involved in theft cases cannot be imputed criminal liability, the Department of Social Welfare could only handle as much of these kids.
We leave them to the DSWD and in a few hours, these kids are back in the streets and in their usual occupation, the Bohol police chief lamented.
The Committee is to be composed of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Provincial prosecution, the Philippine National Police and religious sectors and are expected to appraise the council of the proposed and consolidated amendments in time for next month’s meeting. (mbcn/RAHC/PIA-Bohol)
In a special meeting of the PPOC on February 19, Bohol governor Edgar Chatto said, “in principle, the PPOC is in a unanimous position for the amendment, but we have not gone to the specifics and the nitty-gritty of the proposals.”
With many unresolved issues packed in the juvenile justice law, the PPOC-Bohol approved en masse a motion to form a committee to propose necessary amendments and consolidate those to firm up the law.
The small group is tasked to consolidate all proposed amendments for the PPOC to come up with a proposed amendment package, Chatto added.
“I think this is the right time to push for amendments while Congress takes an election recess and will be ready to tackle on the proposals as they convene after the polls,” Chatto noted.
Bohol Police Director Constantino Barot bared that a huge portion of crimes in Bohol have involved minors, below 18.
PPOC-7 members also shared that criminal elements that saw the flaws in Republic Act 9344 or the act establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System, are now using minors to commit crimes.
The Juvenile Justice Law exempts a child below 18 years from criminal liability but subjects the child in conflict with the law to an intervention program.
While the law has already taken effect, the state still has to put up intervention facilities to properly address the issues of these children in conflict with the law, this is learned.
Barot admits that while minors involved in theft cases cannot be imputed criminal liability, the Department of Social Welfare could only handle as much of these kids.
We leave them to the DSWD and in a few hours, these kids are back in the streets and in their usual occupation, the Bohol police chief lamented.
The Committee is to be composed of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Provincial prosecution, the Philippine National Police and religious sectors and are expected to appraise the council of the proposed and consolidated amendments in time for next month’s meeting. (mbcn/RAHC/PIA-Bohol)