By Jose Cielito Reganit | Philippine News Agency
The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has confirmed that the two children in conflict with the law (CICLs) involved in the school shooting in Tacloban City are now under the custody of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY), which is being managed by the DSWD’s Field Office 8 (Eastern Visayas).
JJWC Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco said the two CICLs are currently undergoing psychological assessments and other evaluation activities to determine the reason that drove them to commit the crime.
“‘Yung sa dalawang bata ngayon, hindi pa sila hinahalo doon sa ibang mga bata. Hindi rin sila pinagsasamang dalawa kase ino-observe pa sila. We don’t recommend na i-isolate forever ang isang bata kasi baka makalimutan niya na siya ay bata. Ang gusto kasi natin, maibalik sa dati [ang kaniyang pag-iisip] bago niya ma-commit ‘yung krimen na yun,” Oco said in a media forum Thursday at the DSWD satellite office in Quezon City.
Oco reiterated that Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, mandates the rehabilitation of CICLs to ensure they receive appropriate psychosocial intervention.
The JJWC official also emphasized that the law does not exempt juvenile offenders from accountability for their crimes.
“Inside the facility, the CICLs are strictly monitored and their movements are restricted, similar to persons deprived of their liberty,” she stressed.
Oco added that authorities may also file civil or criminal cases against the parents of the two CICLs, depending on the results of the ongoing police investigation.
Director Edwin Morata of the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Program, meanwhile, explained to the media that, similar to persons deprived of liberty, the facility restricts, monitors and limits the daily activities of the CICLs.
“Wala silang access to everything. Restricted. Even ‘yung pagkain nila, even yung pag-visit sa kanila. Ang tinitignan natin kasi dito is for them to bring back this kid doon sa idea na dapat may mga sinusunod tayong polisiya pagdating natin ng komunidad,” Morata said.
Led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the DSWD has proactively provided various forms of assistance to the affected students and their families in the shooting incident last Monday.
The DSWD’s FO 8 initially administered psychosocial first aid to the affected individuals.
In collaboration with the Tacloban City government, Morata said the DSWD will shoulder all medical and burial expenses for the families of the three casualties.
The Department also distributed P20,000 in cash relief assistance to these families.
Morata said the DSWD will also cover the medical expenses of the 13 students who were hospitalized by issuing guarantee letters under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Meanwhile, Oco reiterated the JJWC’s openness to joining discussions on the review of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
She, however, stressed that a more comprehensive assessment is needed to come up with solutions and interventions that will protect the welfare of the children.
“’Wag lang natin tutukan yung minimum age [of criminal liability] kase kailangan makahanap tayo ng tamang solusyon sa nangyari. Iku-quote ko lang yung psychologist na nakausap ko, sabi niya, it might be a lazy way of finding solutions to violence. Andami kasing factors kung bakit nila ito ginagawa,” Oco said.
As part of the government’s intervention strategy, the DSWD plans to implement additional training and skills-enhancement programs for social workers handling similar cases.
The DSWD will also review the parent effectiveness sessions and family development sessions under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to ensure that parents are equipped to properly guide their children in the modern context.
