Legal Politics of Handling Children as Perpetrators of Criminal Acts: A Comparison of Indonesia and the Philippines from the Perspective of Customary Law and Children's Rights

Raodiah Raodiah; Dian Eka Kusuma Wardani; Nurmiati Muhiddin; Princess Alyssa D. Tee-Anastacio

doi:10.47268/sasi.v31i4.3394

Authors

Raodiah Raodiah Faculty of Law, Universitas Sawerigading, Makassar
Dian Eka Kusuma Wardani Faculty of Law, Universitas Sawerigading, Makassar https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1999-1434 (unauthenticated)
Nurmiati Muhiddin Faculty of Law, Universitas Sawerigading, Makassar
Princess Alyssa D. Tee-Anastacio Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6297-3144 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47268/sasi.v31i4.3394

Keywords:

Legal Politics, Juvenile Offenders, Customary Law, Children's Rights.

Abstract

Introduction: The treatment of children as perpetrators of criminal acts has become a significant issue in the development of modern law, particularly with regard to the protection of children’s rights and the integration of local values. Indonesia and the Philippines, as countries with different legal traditions, present an important dynamic for study.

Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this research is to analyze the differences in the legal politics of Indonesia and the Philippines in addressing juvenile offenders, focusing on the implementation of diversion in Indonesia and the juvenile justice system in the Philippines, while also examining the integration of customary or community-based mechanisms and the protection of children’s rights in both jurisdictions.

Methods of the Research: This study employs normative legal research with comparative and conceptual approaches. Data were collected through literature review of statutory provisions, academic doctrines, scholarly literature, and relevant international instruments on children’s rights. The analysis was conducted qualitatively and descriptively to compare norms, practices, and the implications of legal politics in both countries.

Results of the Research: The findings of this study demonstrate that the legal politics of both countries, through the integration of customary law and the protection of children’s rights, serve as a fundamental basis for the normative framework in addressing children as perpetrators of criminal acts. In Indonesia, customary law is implicitly integrated through the mechanism of diversion as regulated in Laws of the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. In contrast, in the Philippines, customary or community-based law is explicitly integrated by involving the barangay tanod in handling juvenile offenders during the diversion process under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA 9344). These findings contribute to advancing Indonesia’s legal policy toward a more humane, inclusive, and internationally aligned juvenile justice system.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citation Metrics

References

Andaya, Eduardo Junio, Ronhel S. Patricio, John A. Cabaddu, and Helen N. Baguna. “Evidence-Based Child Protection in the Philippines: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Social Science Research and Review 8, no. 5 (2025): 102–23. https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v8i5.2623.

Arifah, Lailatul. “Tinjauan Yuridis Penerapan Restorative Justice Dalam Kasus Pelecehan Anak Dibawah Umur.” Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, 2025.

Asifah, Nur, and Alauddin Alauddin. “Konflik Keluarga Dan Resolusinya Dalam Hukum Adat : Refleksi Atas Peran Budaya Dalam Merawat Harmoni Sosial.” Sibaliparriq : Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Literasi Syariah 2, no. 1 (2025): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.46870/SBP.v2i1.1736.

Bahreisy, Budi. “Peran Lembaga Adat Di Aceh Dalam Penyelesaian Perkara Anak Yang Berkonflik Dengan Hukum.” Jurnal Penelitian Hukum De Jure 20, no. 1 (2020): 25–36.

Cabca, Renz G., and Joy C. Calva. “The Status of Mandatory Representation for Indigenous Peoples: A Critical Evaluation of Performance and Challenges.” East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 4, no. 7 (2025): 3227–40. https://doi.org/10.55927/EAJMR.V4I7.267.

Ferdiansya, Alvin, and Asep Suherman. “Perlindungan Anak Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak.” Jurnal Kajian Hukum Dan Kebijakan Publik 2, no. 1 (2024): 329–36. https://doi.org/10.62379/Q62ZE369.

Gomonod, Charilyn H., Cherry Jane P. Ebarle, Mariel A. Libres, John Dexter B. Cartajenas, Charlie L. Gacang, Jolean Fren N. Pioquinto, and John Mark N. Saldivar. “Garden of Second Chances: Lived Experiences of Bahay Pag-Asa Personnel In Handling Children In Conflict With The Law.” International Journal Of Politics, Publics Policy And Social Works 7, no. 16 (2025): 27–47.

Herman, Handrawan, Oheo Kaimuddin Haris, Ali Rizky, Heryanti, and Imran Saputra. “Analisis Peran Upah Minimum Provinsi Dalam Diversi Pada Sistem Peradilan Anak Terhadap Pasal 9 Ayat (2) Huruf d Undang-Undang SPPA.” Halu Oleo Legal Research 7, no. 1 (2025): 66–85. https://doi.org/10.33772/Holresch.v7i1.1628.

Iftitah, Anik, Eko Yuliastuti, Desy Okta Mawarni, and Rila Puspita Wardani. “Pertanggungjawaban Hukum Anak Dalam Pelaku Tindak Pidana Berat: Pendekatan, Dampak, Dan Implikasi Dalam Sistem Peradilan Anak.” Birokrasi: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Tata Negara 1, no. 2 (2023): 152–67. https://doi.org/10.55606/Birokrasi.v1i2.592.

Juance, Shenai, and Dodelon F. Sabijon. “Beyond Troubled Childhood: Lived Experiences of Former Children in Conflict with the Law.” International Journal of Law and Politics Studies 7, no. 4 (2025): 34–47. https://doi.org/10.32996/IJLPS.2025.7.4.2.

Kusmayanti, Hazar, Sonny Dewi Judiasih, Dede Kania, and Dewi Sulastri. “A Comparative Analysis of The Indonesian And Philippine Judicial Systems: Identifying The Role of Customary Courts.” Cepalo 9, no. 1 (2025): 13–24. https://doi.org/10.25041/Cepalo.9no1.3677.

Mahendra, Kadek Krisna. “Tinjauan Perbandingan Hukum Pidana Antara Negara Indonesia Dengan Filipina Terkait Pertanggungjawaban Pidana Terhadap Anak Dibawah Umur.” Jurnal Pacta Sunt Servanda 6, no. 1 (2025): 13–21. https://doi.org/10.15294/LRRQ.v8i3.60022.

Millora, Chris. Local Volunteering, Adult Learning and Social Change in the Philippines: Everyday Learning, Everyday Literacies. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025.

Muchlis, Ahmad. “Penegakan Prinsip Kepentingan Terbaik Anak Pada Penerapan Diversi Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak.” Jurnal Hukum Progresif 12, no. 1 (2024): 66–77. https://doi.org/10.14710/JHP.12.1.66-77.

Muhammad, Ari. “Penerapan Pidana Adat Terhadap Anak Sebagai Pelaku Perusakan Kekayaan Adat Dan Lingkungan.” Jurnal Hukum Lex Generalis 6, no. 7 (2025). https://doi.org/10.56370/JHLG.v6i7.1652.

Ragandang, Primitivo III Cabanes. Peacebuilding and Memory in the Philippines. Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90375-5.

Rifqi, M. Asadur. “Perbandingan Pengaturan Diversi Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak Antara Indonesia Dengan Filipina Dalam Rangka Mewujudkan Keadilan Restoratif Di Indonesia.” UNS (Sebelas Maret University), 2021. https://digilib.uns.ac.id/dokumen/87079/Perbandingan-Pengaturan-Diversi-Dalam-Sistem-Peradilan-Pidana-Anak-Antara-Indonesia-dengan-Filipina-Dalam-Rangka-Mewujudkan-Keadilan-Restoratif-di-Indonesia.

Simbolon, Citra Irwan, Baginda Rizky Ariesvy Sitanggang, and Rosmalinda Rosmalinda. “Implikasi Sejarah Hukum Bagi Pembentukan Sistem Hukum Di Masa Depan.” Journal Sains Student Research 2, no. 5 (2024): 423–34. https://doi.org/10.61722/JSSR.v2i5.2700.

Sriyanto, Agus, and Sutrisno. “Perkembangan Dan Ciri-Ciri Perkembangan Pada Anak Usia Dini.” Journal Fascho : Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini 1, no. 2 (2022): 26–33. https://www.ejournal.stitmuhngawi.ac.id/index.php/Fascho/article/view/39.

Steven, Anthony, Dorantes Wijaya, and Dave David Tedjokusumo. “Peran Perhimpunan Bangsa-Bangsa Asia Tenggara Dalam Menanggulangi Eksploitasi Perempuan Dan Anak.” Jurnal Syntax Admiration 5, no. 6 (2024): 2261–71. https://doi.org/10.46799/JSA.v5i6.1217.

Stobbe, Stephanie P., ed. Conflict Resolution in Asia: Mediation and Other Cultural Models. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2020.

Sugama, Fauzan, Yuli Rahmad, Maidy Ramadhan Az, M. Arif Ridwan, Fahrul Rozi, Abdul Azis, and Jum’ah Jum’ah. “Efektivitas Penerapan Restorative Justice Dalam Penyelesaian Tindak Pidana Anak Di Indonesia.” Jimmi: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Multidisiplin 1, no. 3 (2024): 306–16. https://doi.org/10.71153/Jimmi.v1i3.148.

Tetelepta, Natalisya, Julianus Edwin Latupeirissa, and Anna Maria Salamor. “Penerapan Diversi Oleh Hakim Dalam Penyelesaian Perkara Pidana Anak Ditingkat Pengadilan (Studi Pengadilan Negeri Masohi).” PATTIMURA Law Study Review 2, no. 1 (2024): 156–68. https://doi.org/10.47268/Palasrev.v2i1.13876.

Wartawan, Wawan. “Anak Yang Berhadapan Dengan Hukum Ditinjau Dalam Pertanggungjawaban Hukum Sesuai Dengan Sistem Peradilan Anak.” Jurnal Inovasi Global 2, no. 9 (2024): 1186–98. https://doi.org/10.58344/JIG.v2i9.154.