Manila, June 23 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is supporting proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old, amid renewed debate following the deadly shooting incident at a public high school in Tacloban City.

At a Palace briefing on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the police organization supports lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 12, citing an increase in cases involving children in conflict with the law (CICL).

"The PNP is supporting the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility," Co said. "We are thinking 12 years old."

He noted that authorities have observed a rise in the number of minors involved in criminal activities, although cases would still b...