Young offenders between the ages of 12 and 15 may soon be turned over to the custody of social workers if proposed amendments to the Juvenile Justice Law gets approved by both chambers of Congress.
Sen. Francis Escudero explained that the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (Republic Act 9344) only covers offenders aged 15 to 18. In recent years, offenders have become younger and younger, leaving authorities with no other option but to return them to their parents or guardians. Once the new provisions are approved however, these young offenders will taken into custody and made to undergo an intensive rehabilitation program to correct their errant behavior, Inquirer News reported.
