Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Calinao: Younger and bolder By Nick Prill Calinao Free and Easy
THEY are getting younger and bolder as the years go by. A line that -- in one way or another -- describes juvenile delinquents in today's society.
Instead of "starting young" as responsible and model citizens, it does seem that quite a number of the youngsters nowadays tend to prefer "crooked ways." A pathetic and disgusting choice, if I was to be asked.
Gang rumbles here and there, stabbing and shooting incidents involving young gang members, teenage drug peddlers and couriers, juvenile pickpockets, young thieves, and teen-age "gas suckers." These are but a few concerns related to "minors in conflict with the law."
Unless something is done about these young law breakers, then the locality may soon find itself as a haven for young criminals -- a challenge which demands a concerted effort from authorities, parents, and the younger ones as well.
For more than just a few occasions now, I have witnessed pointless acts of these so-called "young toughies" who walk the streets as if they owned them. "Noisy" kids in "hip-hop" attire with colored bandanas "freely" brandishing baseball bats, lead pipes, and knives "inviting" opposing gangs into "some action."
I guess they think their immature and unlawful acts are those of manhood. In our own vernacular, "akala nila siga sila sa ginagawa nila." Actually they are doing the exact opposite, they are simply engaging themselves in pointless and embarrassing acts. "Nakakahiya lang sila." needing to be in a gang just proves how "weak" they truly are.
For the younger ones, I've got a couple of lines to say: "it is when you show your ability to become responsible and model citizens regardless of your age that you show your maturity and importance to society." And "it is also when you stand alone as a principled, law-abiding and independent person" that you truly show your manhood.
Considering the "boldness" of these youngsters in conflict with the law, they must face the penalties and punishment at all costs. This, however, must be carried out within an appropriate environment and under appropriate considerations.
Certain provisions of the law provide that youth offenders must not be allowed to mingle with adult criminals or inmates in municipal, city, and provincial jails, but must instead be housed in a center conducive to rehabilitation and reintegration purposes. Provisions that still remain to be implemented or followed in certain localities within the country.
Yes, I do agree even minor offenders must be punished and rehabilitated. All offenders must pay for the crimes they commit.
However, I find it hard to agree with recommendations of some saying the age of criminal liability for minors must be lowered. Not to mention there is a lack of proper centers and facilities for minor offenders.
If this would be the case, then the system might as well allow minors to vote or exercise suffrage, too; or to be given the right to avail of marriage licenses way before the age of majority, purchase cigarettes and alcohol...and the like.
The mere fact that they are not mature enough to participate in elections other than that for the Sanggunian Kabataan indicates they are still in a transition age from childhood to maturity. Whether we want it or not, minor offenders still belong to a tender age of modification and education which must be taken into consideration.
Now to bring the criminal liability age down might actually be counterproductive in terms of human rights, as well as the protection the rights of children. I find it amusing for some officials to claim the suggestion is but right, when authorities themselves have not strictly adhered to certain provisions of the law, particularly in the provision of adequate rehabilitation centers for juvenile delinquents. Perhaps it would be better if juvenile centers were set up first before "toying" with the idea of lowering the accountability age.
Imagine having 12-year-olds being treated in like manner and locked up with hardened criminals in the same city or municipal jail.
In addition, nonstop technical support in terms of counseling and guidance; stiffer community service for young offenders; and more attractive programs for the youth may help deter the proliferation of young criminals.
Talking about apprehensions, another amusing angle of the matter is the reality that the curfew for minors isn't being effectively implemented in the city.
Teenagers are still reported roaming the streets even after dark. In fact, news reports from previous weeks indicate that in some cases, minors were either suspects or victims in certain crimes perpetrated within the locality way past the curfew.
There is no doubt about it, something must be done to arrest the juvenile concern in the city; however is a new law lowering the age of accountability of minors the answer?
Authorities are better off being damn good in implementing existing laws, rather than being damn good in seeking for new ones when existing policies are not being implemented fully and effectively.
