The Department of Justice (DOJ) said minors can still be held accountable under the law, stressing that being under 18 does not automatically exempt a person from responsibility amid a string of school-related crimes involving youth.

According to a report by RH Tina Nolasco, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said existing laws provide mechanisms to determine a child’s liability, particularly by assessing whether the minor acted with “discernment” at the time of the offense.

“Being a minor does not mean there is no accountability. The law has mechanisms to determine their liability and what proper procedures should be implemented,” Martinez said.

The DOJ’s clarification comes as concerns grow over consecutive incidents involving minors in criminal acts, especially within school settings.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, children in conflict with the law are subject to intervention programs rather than outright punishment, but may still face legal processes depending on circumstances such as discernment.

Martinez added that proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility fall under the jurisdiction of Congress, not the executive branch.

“That proposal is within the domain of the legislature. It is up to our lawmakers,” he said. “What we can say is that we already have a law in place, and it contains mechanisms for offenders below 18 years old.”

Lawmakers have renewed discussions on adjusting the age threshold following a series of cases involving minors, a debate that remains contentious among child rights advocates and law enforcement authorities.

The renewed scrutiny comes after a shooting at San Jose National High School on Monday morning, June 22, that left three people dead and several students injured.

The suspects in said school shooting are reportedly 14 and 15 years old.