I know some think everything in the SCMP is the truth but today's article about jailing 9 year olds as part of Duterte's war on drugs:
The 9 year old limit for criminal responsibilty was the recommendation of a committee. The Bill going though Congress reduces it to 12 so above the international average.
There was never a suggestion to jail children. They would not be criminals but "children in conflict with the law". As a last resort they would, as in other countries, be sent to child rehabilitation centres. The primary focus is on the parents, making the child criminally responsible allows the parents to be punished or compulsory parenting education. It also provides the funding for all of this, currently there is almost nothing for caring for child offenders who are often victims themselves.
Basically the Philippines will be more progressive than most other countries, but the media can't say that - it has to be outrage.
Also passed on second reading a Bill to legalise medical marijuana.