Fifteen-year-old alias “Rod,” a child in conflict with the law (CICL), will undergo a preliminary investigation in connection with his role in the tragic shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday.

The suspect is facing three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, said DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato.

The minor remains under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Region VIII.

“On June 24, 2026, inquest proceedings were conducted before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban City, where three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder were filed against one of the children in conflict with the law,” Dato said.

“CICL Rod will now undergo the regular preliminary investigation process. He remains deprived of liberty at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Region VIII,” he added.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said that, as a law specifically created to penalize Nihilistic Violence Extremism (NVE) has not yet been enacted, the DOJ will have to decide on the minors’ cases based on the existing laws in the country.

Among the charges being considered are violations of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Republic Act No. 11930, also known as the Republic Act No. 11930, known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.