CHILD RIGHTS advocates protested in front of the Senate during its hearing of the lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility last February 4. The proposal was earlier approved by the Congress.

Prior to this, Gabriela Partylist and Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns launched a series of protests against amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which would allow children who are 12 years old to be arrested.

According to Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Partyist, the arrest of children will not solve the widespread criminality in the country. Furthermore, the government should focus on other issues which gravely affect the development of a child, such as child labor, malnutrition, education and others.

Youth groups and faculty members from different schools and universities in Metro Manila and Cebu also joined the protest.