MANILA, Philippines – Actor Dingdong Dantes opposed the lowering the age of criminal liability from 15 to nine years old.

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The House of Representatives Justice committee approved on Monday a bill lowering the age of criminal liability from 15 to nine years old.

Dantes reacted on Sunday a tweet of human rights lawyer Jose Manuel ‘Chel

Diokno that featured a video where he opposed the said proposal.

The actor wrote: “Crucial stage ang childhood and adolescence to one’s development. These are periods where psychological, emotional, social and physical aspects are strongly influenced by the surroundings and are formed.”

Agree ako sa iyo, @ChelDiokno! Crucial stage ang childhood and adolescence to one's development. These are periods where psychological, emotional, social and physical aspects are strongly influenced by the surroundings and are formed. https://t.co/SaTLxEdYZC — Dingdong Dantes (@iamdongdantes) January 20, 2019

In a separate tweet, Dantes said the government should instead focus on “creating an enabling environment” for children.

“Instead of focusing on criminalizing children, the government should invest more on creating an enabling environment that will allow young people to be productive members of the society,” he wrote.

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Various child rights group likewise expressed strong opposition on the issue./gsg

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