Gov’t, civil society groups split on reviewing juvenile justice law

The debate over updating the Philippines' juvenile justice law has heated up following a tragic shooting in Tacloban City involving teenage suspects. While the government pushes for stricter measures, civil society groups, including human rights watchdog Karapatan, worry that proposals to lower the minimum age for criminal responsibility could undermine children's rights. This split highlights broader concerns about balancing justice and rehabilitation for young offenders, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to juvenile justice reform.