Angel C.

Delos Santos
Grade 11 STEM Diamond
ARGUMENT WRITING TEMPLATE

TOPIC: Lowering the crime age responsibility should not be implemented

HOOK

With Philippines having one of the worst crime in the world, is lowering the crime age really
is the solution? Do you agree that kids as young as 12 years old be held accountable for their actions?

INTRODUCE THE ISSUE

The continuous use of illegal drugs, murders, human trafficking, corruption, and domestic
violence still remains as significant concerns in the country. Knowing the fact that Philippines have
the high rate in terms of crime , The House of Representatives recently proposed to lower the
minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old on January 28. 2019. Some agrees
that the children committing unlawful deeds should be held the same standards as adults but more
people believes that its not reason enough to send a 12 year old to jail. Also, scientific studies show
that children below the age of 16 do not have the maturity to discern right from wrong.

THESIS OR FOCUS STATEMENT

Therefore, we say no to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

BODY PARAGRAPH # 1

First, lowering the age of criminal responsibility does not lower the crime rates. According to
the data of Philippine National Police the percent distribution of crime committed by adults is higher
at 98%, while those involving children is only 2%. Additionally, DSWD Undersecretary for
Protective Operations and Programs Group Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa said that 8% of crimes
committed by children involved serious crimes while 92% were categorized as ‘’non-serious’’. Also,
based on to the PNP, children commit only 1.72% of total crimes in the Philippines.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Thus, lowering the minimum age of criminal liability to 12 years old does not guarantee a
decline in the volume of crimes because 98% of the crimes was done by adults and they should be
the one to penalize not the children.

BODY PARAGRAPH # 2

Second, instead of lowering the crime age responsibility, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare
Act of 2006 needs to be fully implemented. The act covers the different stages involving children at
risk and children in conflict with the law from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration. Under
the Republic Act No. 10630 , Children’s as young as 12 who committed serious crimes such as rape,
murder, and homicide should be detained in youth care facilities or Bahay Pag-asa instead of putting
them in jail. These children needs proper care and guidance as they didn’t understand what is going
on. In addition, implementing the crime liability as 12 years old would also mean the need for more
facilities that would cause more problems as the government already lacks budget. Furthermore,
Research officer Jackielou Bagadiong on August 23, 2018, said “The child still has this liability but
we don't detain them because given the current state of our jails, it wouldn't be possible, it would
harm our future generation if we do that’’. She also added that ‘’If a child enters jail, one can be
assured that when he or she comes out, she will have had a network of criminals that can assist him
or her later on’’.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Therefore, we should push for the full and effective implementation of the law so that both
children who commit crimes and their victims are assisted and supported.

BODY PARAGRAPH # 3 CONCESSION STATEMENT

It has been argued that crime syndicates are using children in their illegal activities to get
away with crimes so the children need to be detained to stop them from committing offenses.

REASON WHY IT’S INVALID

It is a flawed argument. This just shows that the children are the victims of such actions.
Therefore, it doesn’t change the fact the children should be rescued and provided rehabilitative
support and the syndicates should be the ones arrested and penalized for their criminal acts.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Hence, the Law enforcement agencies should focus on arresting and penalizing the person’s
involved in these actions to avoid using even much younger children to commit their wrongdoings.

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

RESTATE YOUR THESIS OR FOCUS STATEMENT

To conclude, the proposal to lower the criminal age of responsibility should not be
implemented.

PARAPHRASE YOUR MAIN ARGUMENTS

Carrying out this proposal does not lower the crime rates, we should focus on full
implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 to provide children’s at risk
prevention, diversion, and rehabilitation, and we should aim to arrest the syndicates not the children.
They are also the victims of circumstances, mostly because of poverty, and not to be able to access a
caring, and protective environment.

CALL TO ACTION

We call on the government to protect and respect the children’s right by not lowering the age
of crime responsibility instead focus on the syndicates that are using the children for their
wrongdoings. We should join groups that advocates about a child’s protection and we should agree to
retain the minimum age as it is. These ages are too young to be expose in this toxic world.