At their necrological service, the v1ctim's parents, Cruz and Lovella Maguad, were b3gging and hoping that they would get justice. “Please help us, we want justice.” said Mrs. Maguad to the parents of the susp3cts.
Mrs. Maguad also called the attention of the public that they should still be careful even if the person in front of them is 18 years old or younger.
“Hindi po natin i-under estimate ang mga kabataan below 18 years old, because they have the manipulative skills and the power, to destr0y our children, good children, sa family a nang mga susp3cts, please tulungan nyo kami na makamit ang hust1sya sa ikatatahimik nang aming mga anak at sa ikatatahimik din namin,” said the mother of the v1ctims.
Although the Maguad family wants Janice to be pun1shed immediately, it is not possible because Janice is protected by “Republic Act 9344” also known as Juvenile Just1ce Law and Pangilinan Law.
Today, ‘Janice’ can be considered a “child in conflict with the law” and cannot be considered a ‘cr1minal’ until she reaches the legal age.
According to section 5 D of the said law minors like Janice: ”
(d) the right to be treated with hum@nity and respect, for the inherent dignity of the person, and in a manner which takes into account the needs of a person of his/her age. In particular, a child depr1ved of liberty shall be separated from adult off3nders at all times. No child shall be deta1ned together with adult off3nders. He/She shall be conveyed separately to or from the court. He/She shall await hearing of his/her own c@se in a separate holding area. A child in c0nflict with the law shall have the right to maintain contact with his/her family through correspondence and visits, save in exceptional circumstances.”
Section 7 of the said law also states that:
“The child in c0nflict with the law shall enjoy the presumption of the minority. He/She shall enjoy all the rights of a child in c0nflict with the law until he/she is proven to be eighteen (18) years old or older. The age of a child may be determined from the child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or any other pertinent documents. In the absence of these documents, age may be based on information from the child himself/herself, testimonies of other persons, the physical appearance of the child, and other relevant evidence. In case of doubt as to the age of the child, it shall be resolved in his/her favor.”
Although Janice has already admitted her s1n, it cannot be denied that she is still protected by the said law.
‘Janice’ is currently under the care of social workers while the court’s decision is still being determined.
Even people in M’Lang, North Cotabato are pushing to lower the age of liability of the susp3cts and make it 12.
Read the reaction from the netizens on the siblings Crizzle and Crizville's c@se:
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