More comprehensive juvenile justice law sought after Tacloban shooting

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday called on Congress to revise the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to make it more comprehensive.

Remulla made the proposal following the Tacloban City school shooting which resulted in the deathof three students. At least 20 others were wounded.

“I recommend strongly to Congress that we work together to come up with a more comprehensive law on juvenile justice,” Remulla said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Thursday.

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READ: DILG chief backs lowering age of criminal responsibility

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“I will have to work with them. I think age is not important but cognizance and intent are the most important factors,” he added when asked what age the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be lowered to.

So far, the police have only filed complaints against the 15-year-old shooter in the Tacloban school shooting – three counts of murder as well as several counts of frustrated murder and physical injuries.

The 14-year-old, meantime, will undergo a rehabilitation.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, or Republic Act No. 9344, states that children 15 years old and younger are exempt from criminal liability and would instead be subjected to intervention programs.

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The law also provides that children older than 15 years old but younger than 18 years old are only criminally liable if they acted with discernment.

“In this case, the 14-year-old knew he wouldn’t be charged. That’s why he was the one who fired more shots,” Remulla said in Filipino.

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“This is the infirmity of the Juvenile Justice Act,” Remulla pointed out.

According to the police, the 14-year-old shooter held a 9mm pistol registered to his aunt, a police staff sergeant; while the 15-year-old suspect held a caliber .38 revolver registered to a Cebu-based security agency.

The Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas (PRO 8) previously said at least 40 empty shells were traced to the 9mm pistol, while only one was traced to the .38 caliber revolver. /gsg

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