Liability of a 13-Year Old Alleged Rapist
On July 25, 2017, GMA News reported that a 5-year old was allegedly raped and killed by a 13-year old. The victim's parents wanted to have the suspect behind bars. Image grabbed from http://blogwatch.tv/2017/01/children-not-criminals/ The question that may be asked is whether or not the teen suspect can be placed behind bars. As provided in Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9344 or the "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006", thus: "Sec. Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility. - A child fifteen (15) years of age or under at the time of the commission of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability. However, the child shall be subjected to an intervention program pursuant to Section 20 of this Act. A child above fifteen (15) years but below eighteen (18) years of age shall likewise be exempt from criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless he/she has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be sub...