Section 18Sec./Art. 18

Requirement and Procedures on Age Verification and Presumption of Minority. - The child involved in, affected by or displaced by armed conflict, shall enjoy the presumption of minority and shall enjoy all the rights of a child recognized in this Act and other applicable laws unless proven to be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older.

The age of a child may be determined from the childs birth certificate, baptismal certificate or any other pertinent document. In the absence of these documents, age may be based on information from the child, testimonies of other persons, the physical appearance of the child and other relevant evidence such as dental records. In case of doubt as to the age of the child, it shall be resolved in favor of the child being deemed a minor.

Any person contesting the age of the child prior to the filing of the information in any appropriate court may file a case in a summary proceeding for the determination of age before the Family Court, which shall decide the case within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the appropriate pleadings of all interested parties.

If a case has been filed against the child and is pending in the appropriate court, the person shall file a motion to determine the age of the child in the same court where the case is pending. Pending hearing on the said motion, proceedings on the main case shall be suspended.

In all proceedings, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and other government officials concerned shall exert all efforts to determine the age of the child involved in armed conflict.