Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa backed Senate Bill No. 372, which seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 17 to 10 years old, saying the law needs to be revisited.
Dela Rosa expressed support for Senator Robin Padilla, who recently delivered a privilege speech citing cases where minors committed heinous crimes but were spared under Republic Act No. 9344.
Drawing from his experience as a former police officer, the senator recalled how syndicates often used children to commit crimes.
“May mga na uncover kami noon na ang droga, bata ang pinapadala at nilalagay pa sa loob ng cake yung shabu para ma-deliver so kung masita sila ng pulis, makita ‘Cake lang yan sir, pinapahatid sakin doon sa may birthday,’ yun pala yun ang mode nila pag transport ng droga,” he said, adding that minors would even show their birth certificates to avoid arrest.
Dela Rosa warned that the situation has worsened, with minors now forming their own groups.
“Noon, ang mga bata ang ginagamit ng sindikato. Pero ngayon, ang mga bata na mismo ang sindikato, hindi na sila nag papagamit, sila na mismo ang organized as a syndicate, mga bata,” he said.IMT
