Pangilinan: Tacloban shooting suspects can't be released even if minors

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday said the two suspects involved in the fatal school shooting incident in Tacloban City should not be released even if they are minors, citing the Juvenile Justice Law.

He made the pronouncement as he expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban that killed three people.

READ: Gatchalian outraged by shooting in Tacloban school: Unacceptable

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The arrested perpetrators behind the shooting were two Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15.

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Pangilinan said Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice Law, which he authored, should be properly implemented in this case.

“They cannot simply be released even if they are minors. They must go through the process prescribed by law,” he said in Filipino.

Under the Juvenile Justice Law, while a child aged 15 years old or below at the time of the crime is exempt from criminal liability, they are still mandated to be “subjected to an intervention program.”

LIVE UPDATES: Tacloban City high school shooting

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The same applies to suspects above 15 but below 18 years old, “unless he/she has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with this Act.”

The law also states that exemptions from criminal liability do not include exemption from civil liability, which shall still be enforced in accordance with existing laws.

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Pangilinan pointed out that the parents of the suspects may be held accountable if they are found negligent in fulfilling their responsibilities under the law.

He noted that the law also mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide appropriate support to the victims and their families until they obtain justice.

Sen. Robin Padilla, in a separate statement posted on social media, pressed for the passage of his proposed amendments to the Juvenile Justice Law, specifically Senate Bill No. 372, which seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old.

“Is there any chance that my proposal to amend the Juvenile Justice Act could be included in a special session?” he said in Filipino.

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“This has been happening one after another. There have been hold-ups. There have been rapes. Now, a shooting at a school… What are our fellow senators waiting for?” he added. /mcm