Tacloban school shooters under close watch by police, social workers: DSWD
The two students implicated in the deadly Tacloban school shooting that left three teenagers dead are now under the joint monitoring of social workers and law enforcement authorities.
In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said that the two children in conflict with the law are under the custody of their Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth and are being closely watched by their social workers.
According to her, house parents have been assigned to both of them. The pair, who are aged 14 and 15, have not seen each other since they were put in different rooms, and they are also not allowed to interact with the other CICLs and share activities with them.
"Hindi sila nagkikita. Separate rooms sila. 'Yung rooms nila, may sariling ceiling fan 'yan, may sariling banyo, so hindi sila nakakahalubilo sa iba pang residents natin sa RRCY," she said.
"Mayroong center nurse na tumitingin din sa kanila, and mayroon ding naka-deploy na mga pulis doon sa labas ng kanilang room to ensure 'yung seguridad din doon sa lugar," she added.
Visitation from their respective families is also not allowed for now.
Dumlao detailed that social workers are currently trying their best to assess the minors and get more information from them. They are also coordinating with the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee to come up with an intervention plan for them.
"Hindi mabilisan o continuous 'yung pag-disclose ng impormasyon mula doon sa ating CICLs, lalo na doon sa mga iba pa na naapektuhan. Kaya sa mga social workers, may tinatawag na establishing rapport. Ito muna ang unang ginagawa," she explained.
Once the minors are comfortable with the social workers, they hope that the data and information gathering can finally start.
Providing aid to the victims
Dumlao assured that DSWD is providing psychosocial first aid to the victims of the shooting incident.
"Napakahalaga kasi nito na agad makapag-conduct tayo ng incident debriefing, trauma counseling," she stressed. "Hindi talaga madali 'yung pinagdaanan nila, 'yung na-witness nila, lalong-lalo na sa mga pamilya na namatay 'yung kanilang mga anak. At 'yung iba nga ay nasa ospital pa."
"Talagang nalulungkot kami, nalulungkot ang DSWD kaya committed din kami na tulungan sila, hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng tulong pinansiyal," she added.
As the incident sparked debates on whether there is a need to lower the age of criminal responsibility, Dumlao said that DSWD is open to discussing discourses regarding the proposed amendments to the law.
"Kung halimbawang ipatawag kami, nandiyan kami, makikinig kami," she said.
"Mahalaga dito, maisusumite namin kung ano yung mga naging experiences ng DSWD, yung mga accomplishments sa mga local government units ng DSWD in terms of provision of technical assistance, especially in the establishment of Bahay Pag-asa," she added.
The shooting occurred a little past 9 a.m. on June 22 during classes at San Jose National High School. Three students died and 20 others were left wounded.
Criminal raps have now been filed against the 15-year-old, according to Philippine National Police Region VIII Public Information Officer PLT Col. Analiza Armeza.
This follows Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which states that a child above the age of 15 but below 18 shall be subjected to appropriate proceedings if he or she acted with discernment.
The law also states that the minimum age of criminal responsibility is 15 years old. Minors 15 years old and under at the time of the offense "shall be exempt from criminal liability," the act reads, adding that the child will be subjected to an intervention program.
