Two minors, aged 14 and 15, suspected of shooting inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday morning, June 22, 2026, will not be released immediately but must undergo rehabilitation, according to officials. The attack left three dead and more than a dozen injured.
Officials Clarify Legal Status of Suspects
Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan stressed that despite being minors, the suspects have legal responsibilities under Republic Act No. 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. They are classified as children in conflict with the law (CICL).
Police identified the suspects as 14 and 15 years old. Oco explained that they cannot be set free because the law requires them to go through rehabilitation. Both Oco and Pangilinan stated that minors accused of serious crimes may face court proceedings, involuntary commitment, confinement, intervention programs, and rehabilitation measures depending on their age and case circumstances.
RA 9344 Provisions on Criminal Liability
Under RA 9344, children below 15 years old who commit crimes have no criminal liability but must undergo intervention programs. Those over 15 but under 18 also have no criminal liability unless proven to have acted with discernment—awareness that their action was wrong. In such cases, they go to court to determine discernment. If not proven, they are not criminally liable. The 15-year-old suspect has already been charged with murder.
The suspects remain in police custody while investigation continues. Lawyers from the Public Attorneys Office (PAO) and social workers may file a petition for involuntary commitment to remove them from parental custody and place them under state supervision.
Placement and Rehabilitation Process
Minor suspects must be transferred to Bahay Pag-asa or other rehabilitation centers for CICL, and they cannot be housed with adult offenders. In addition to rehabilitation, the parents of minors who violate the law may face civil liability. If a suspect over 15 is proven to have discernment, they are criminally liable. If convicted, the law provides for suspension of sentence and rehabilitation.
Upon successful completion of rehabilitation, the sentence may be wiped out. However, if the minor refuses rehabilitation or violates its conditions, the court may impose the penalty.
Calls to Lower Minimum Age of Criminal Liability
Following the Tacloban incident, there are moves to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years old. These include proposals to ban minors from violent online games and restrict their access to social media.
