Cebu City Asst. Prosecutor Alex Gabud has yet to decide whether or not to release the 14-year-old suspected drug pusher to the custody of her parents or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, offenders aged 15 and below are exempted from criminal liability. Basically, there is no case here. I have no choice but to dismiss the cases filed by the police against this girl,” Gabud said.
Social workers and the police presented this morning the girl’s Certificate of Live Birth and Baptismal Certificate which showed that she was born on Jan. 9, 2000, making her 14 years old.
Gabud said section 21 of RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act states that an offender aged 14 years old when he or she committed the offense shall be released to the custody of his/her parents.
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