Social workers have initially assessed that the 15-year-old involved in the Tacloban school shooting acted with discernment, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Monday.
DSWD Sec. Gatchalian, however, stressed that the assessment still needs to be formally verified by the court.
“This initial assessment of the minor’s capacity to distinguish right from wrong still requires formal verification by the court,” he said.
Sec. Gatchalian said minors aged 15 years and one day up to 18 years old may be held criminally liable if it is proven that they acted with discernment when the offense was committed.
“Ang ibig sabihin ng discernment, alam mo yung ginagawa mo, pinagplanuhan mo, sinubukan mong itago, alam mo ang konsepto ng right or wrong, or alam mo yung consequences,” Sec. Gatchalian said.
“Ngayon kapag na-determine na may discernment ka, meron kang criminal liability na sampahan ka ng kaso,” he added.
The two teenagers linked to the shooting are currently under the custody of the DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Tacloban City while awaiting the official results of their psychological evaluation.
Sec. Gatchalian said they are also undergoing trust-building interventions to help them become comfortable enough to disclose vital information about the incident, which left three people dead and 20 others injured.
He said the minors are being strictly monitored and are not free to move around the facility.
“The two minors are strictly monitored and are far from free as they are kept in separate rooms isolated from other CICL inside the rehabilitation facility. They are also prohibited from receiving visits or having any connection with their parents at this time,” Sec. Gatchalian said.