SENATE Committee on Basic Education chairman Sherwin Gatchalian reminded that the Juvenile Justice Law provides for intervention programs where minors accused of crimes undergo rehabilitation instead of imprisonment.

The senator acknowledged the ongoing debate over the law, which exempts minors under 15 years old from criminal liability.

“A child can be placed in a ‘Bahay Pag-asa’ facility, which functions like a detention center but focuses on intervention programs. Education and rehabilitation are crucial so that when they are released, they become productive members of society,” he explained.

He cited positive experiences in Valenzuela City, where minors who underwent proper intervention, including educational and spiritual guidance, successfully reformed.

At the same time, Gatchalian emphasized the critical role of local government units (LGUs) in monitoring and preventing youth violence.

He noted that LGUs are in the best position to identify and track problematic groups, as many young offenders are influenced by older individuals.

“In Valenzuela, we closely monitor gangs and troublemakers. We’ve observed that many minors involved in crimes are being influenced by adults. That’s why we focus on tracking these older individuals who manipulate children into criminal activities,” he said.

The senator reiterated the need for coordinated efforts between law enforcement, schools, and parent-teacher associations to curb violence among minors.

“It takes hard work, but with proper coordination among all stakeholders, we can prevent further incidents,” he concluded.