2 minor suspects in Tacloban shooting kept apart in DSWD facility

TACLOBAN CITY — The two minor suspects in the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School are being housed separately at a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) rehabilitation facility, where they are receiving no special treatment and have at times been observed staring blankly, according to DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong.

The boys, aged 14 and 15 years old, were identified by authorities as the main perpetrators in the school shooting incident that left three students dead and injured 20 others.

READ: Criminal raps vs 15-year-old; rehab for younger suspect

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Subong said both minors are undergoing the standard rehabilitation process applied to all children in conflict with the law admitted to DSWD facilities.

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“There is no special treatment. Like all children admitted to our facility, they undergo the same protocols. What we provide are the basic necessities and services that could help in their rehabilitation,” Subong said in a press conference on Thursday.

She said the two minors are staying in separate rooms and are not allowed to move freely within the facility for security reasons and to ensure the safety of both the suspects and the other children under DSWD’s care.

“They are separated not only because of their age differences and individual needs but also because we still have to fully assess their psychological condition,” she said.

Subong added that the DSWD is working with mental health experts and other government agencies to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the minors to determine the appropriate interventions.

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She stressed that while the minors remain entitled to their rights under the law, they are also being held accountable for their actions.

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“The fact that they are now in our custody means they have already been deprived of their liberty. They can no longer enjoy the freedom to play like other children or be with their parents. They cannot use cellphones, watch television freely, or leave the facility. In itself, that is already part of their accountability,” she said.

The DSWD has also temporarily prohibited visits, including from relatives, as authorities prioritize the protection of the minors while assessments are ongoing.

The said facility, located at the town of Tanauan, Leyte, has over 30 “clients,” some of whom are also facing murder cases.

According to Subong, social workers and house parents have already started engaging with the two boys.

She noted that there have been instances when they appeared withdrawn and would stare simply into space, although efforts to help them gradually adjust to the rehabilitation process are continuing.

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“We still do not have the complete picture of what each child is feeling or their psychological state. That is why the assessments are important so we can provide the proper intervention,” Subong said./coa