Manila: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced the approach for handling the two children in conflict with the law (CICL) involved in the Tacloban City school shooting will be age-appropriate, adhering to the Philippines' Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. The DSWD chief emphasized that these children will not be treated differently, but through interventions that are suited to their age.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian explained in a televised interview that the response to the minors' actions is not humanitarian but rather tailored to their age. He noted that while accountability remains, the interventions will be adjusted as they reach the age of majority, particularly for the 15-year-old suspect. If found guilty, the 15-year-old may receive a suspended sentence and be placed in the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), where a diversion plan will be executed and their progress closely monitored.
For the 14-year-old suspect, who falls below the minimum age of criminal responsibility, Gatchalian stated that the DSWD will retain custody. Though criminal liability is absent for the younger suspect, they will not return to their community due to safety concerns. The intervention plan for this child will be based on evaluations by social workers, who will decide if continued rehabilitation is necessary.
Gatchalian highlighted that both the RRCY and Bahay Pag-asa centers provide age-appropriate environments in line with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and international commitments. He assured that the DSWD is committed to assisting all those affected by the incident, especially the families of the victims, in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives.
The DSWD Chief also expressed a commitment to dialogue about the minimum age of criminal responsibility, stressing the importance of consulting child development experts and psychologists to consider scientific evidence before making policy decisions. This openness to discussion aligns with President Marcos's approach to finding a constructive way forward.
