By Brian Campued
The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has filed a criminal complaint against one of the two minor suspects in the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte on June 22, which killed three students and caused multiple injuries.
In a press release Wednesday, the PRO-8 said charges including three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries were filed against 15-year-old alias “Rod”.
The complaint was filed through inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban City.
However, police said the other child in conflict with the law (CICL), 14-year-old alias “Nash”, is exempt from criminal liability under Republic Act 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.”
Based on the law, a child aged 15 years or below at “the time of the commission of the offense” is exempt from criminal liability but shall still be “subjected to an intervention program.”
PRO-8 Regional Director PBrig. Gen. Jason Capoy said the minors remain under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Tanauan, Leyte, while undergoing the appropriate legal processes and intervention measures in accordance with the law.
“We remain committed to establishing the truth and ensuring accountability under the law. We likewise urge the public to remain calm, verify information, refrain from spreading unverified reports, and promptly report any suspicious activity to the authorities,” Capoy said.
DSWD assures firm adherence to juvenile justice law
Meanwhile, DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian assured families of the victims that the agency will strictly adhere to RA 9344 in addressing the incident and bringing them justice.
“Hustisya yung kanilang hinahanap and I think, ‘yan yung hinahanap ng sambayanan ng Tacloban or ng buong Pilipinas—ng lahat ng magulang na may anak na pumapasok araw-araw at nangangamba,” Gatchalian stressed in a media interview posted by DSWD Eastern Visayas Thursday.
Gatchalian explained that CICL will still be held liable for their crimes when “restorative justice” fails to resolve conflicts involving not just the offender, but also the victim and the community.
He cited a previous case in North Cotabato wherein the assailant did not show remorse even after being committed to a DSWD facility, which then prompted the agency to turn them over to a regular jail when they reached 18 years old.
“In that case, at least yung 15-year-old dito, we will really monitor closely kasi yun yung nakasaad sa batas,” he stressed, adding that while the 14-year-old CICL may be exempt from criminal liability, different angles, including holding adults accountable, are being explored as the investigation continues over the shooting incident.
Gatchalian also underscored that the law mandates the judge to consult with social workers, child psychologists, and police investigators to determine whether the 15-year-old CICL “acted with discernment” and the course of action on the case.
“Doon sa batas kasi, sa Juvenile Justice [and] Welfare Act, maraming nakasaad na mga gagawin sa kanila na hindi ginagawa sa mga ibang bata na nandoon [sa shelter],” he stressed, noting that CICL in DSWD’s custody are not mixed to child victims they rescue.
In terms of support to victims, Gatchalian said psychosocial first aid and support were immediately provided to the bereaved families, survivors, witnesses, and other affected individuals to help them cope with trauma, grief, and emotional distress caused by the shooting incident.
“Yung mga social workers namin are equipped to do grief counseling, trauma counseling, ‘yan yung tinatawag na psychosocial intervention… at hindi rin kami bibitaw hanggang sa dulo,” he assured.
Earlier, Malacañang said the government will provide P150,000 in financial assistance to the family of each victim who died in the incident. (with report from Ryan Lesigues and Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
