The 14-year-old suspect in a school shooting in Tacloban City will not face criminal charges and may instead be placed in a government-run youth rehabilitation facility, an official from the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council said.
In an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Executive Director Atty. Tricia Clare Oco said the minor is exempt from criminal liability because he was below the age of criminal responsibility at the time of the incident.
“Dahil nagawa niya yung krimen noong time na talagang below [the] age ng criminal responsibility siya, kahit papatong siya ng edad na 18 hindi pa rin siya pwedeng makasuhan. Hindi siya pwedeng ikulong,” Oco said.
Instead of prosecution, authorities are preparing to place the minor under an intervention program, possibly at a “Bahay Pag-asa,” a facility managed by local governments for children in conflict with the law.
Oco said the duration of the minor’s stay will depend on court orders and assessments by social workers monitoring his rehabilitation progress.
“Ang proseso doon sa below 18 ay intervention program. Ito kasi dahil napaka-seryoso ng nangyari, ng krimen. Maaari siyang kunin,” she said.
She added that the government may file a petition for involuntary commitment, allowing a court to order the child’s placement in an institution for at least one year while undergoing intensive intervention.
“Kung ang nakita ng korte talaga base sa ebidensya na siya yung gumawa ng mga krimen, sasabihin ng korte na at least 1 year ilalagay siya sa bahay pag-asa o isang institution para mag-undergo ng intensive intervention program,” Oco said.
While criminal charges are not applicable, Oco said civil cases may be filed to seek damages for victims and their families.
“Ang kaso lang na maaaring mai-file sa kanya ay civil para magkaroon ng danyos, mabigyan ng danyos yung mga naapektuhan, mga namatayan,” she said.
On the issue of parental accountability, Oco said parents could face civil or criminal liability if negligence, abuse, or direct involvement is proven.
However, she noted that initial findings suggest no such circumstances in this case.
“Sa tingin namin dito wala namang ganun na ginawa yung [magulang]. In fact, shocked din yung mga kamag-anak nila,” Oco said.
The court will ultimately determine how long the minor will remain in the intervention program based on periodic progress reports from social workers, she added.
