The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that the two minors involved in the fatal Tacloban City school shooting will be removed from their communities and placed under rehabilitation in accordance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Tuesday that Republic Act 9344 provides clear guidelines on how children in conflict with the law (CICLs) should be handled based on age, level of discernment, and the gravity of the offense, stressing that legal procedures and not public sentiment will determine the appropriate intervention.
“Hindi sila maiiwan sa kanilang mga komunidad. Kukunin namin sila,” Gatchalian said, explaining that custody of CICLs may be ordered by the court, voluntarily surrendered by parents, or recommended by local social welfare offices.
He clarified that once turned over, the minors will be placed in a “Bahay Pag-asa” or youth rehabilitation center, where they will undergo structured interventions and diversion programs aimed at rehabilitation rather than immediate incarceration.
Under the law, diversion programs serve as an alternative, child-sensitive process that determines accountability without necessarily going through formal court proceedings, depending on the circumstances and severity of the offense.
Gatchalian emphasized that while the system is designed to be restorative, it does not mean minors will remain in their communities while cases are being processed.
“Naniniwala kami na yung existing na batas ay maganda. Kailangan lang ipatupad nang maayos,” he said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police earlier confirmed that the suspects in the shooting—two boys aged 14 and 15—tested positive for gunpowder residue, indicating they had fired weapons during the incident.
Authorities said police responded within minutes of the shooting, arresting one suspect at the scene while the other was later apprehended after briefly escaping and surrendering through community intervention.
Investigators also recovered a .38 caliber pistol and a 9mm Glock 17 allegedly used in the attack, both of which were linked to registered firearm owners, raising further questions now under police review.
The minors were turned over to the DSWD following standard medical and police procedures.
PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said law enforcement will ensure full compliance with juvenile justice protocols while the investigation into the incident continues.