15-year-old shooter in Tacloban shooting showed discernment —DSWD Sec. Gatchalian

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Local social workers have found discernment, or understanding in the 15-year-old student behind the deadly shooting incident in a school in Tacloban City, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Monday.

“So ibig sabihin, alam na alam niya 'yung ginagawa niya,” Gatchalian said.

(So that means, he knows what he's doing.)

Gatchalian said the finding will now go through the legal system, with the local court expected to validate whether it agrees with the assessment of the social workers.

The DSWD chief also said he is awaiting the results of the psychological assessment conducted on the 15-year-old as well as on the 14-year-old who also participated in the shooting. The said psychological assessment will be used by the agency in crafting the appropriate intervention plan for the two teenagers.

“Makukuha ko 'yung resulta today (June 29, 2026). Doon natin maanalisa, ano ba ang nangyari? Bakit sila gumawa ng ganitong karumal-dumal na krimen? At ano ang dapat na intervention nating gawin para sa kanila?” he said.

(I will get the results today. That's where we can analyze what really happened. Why did they do this heinous crime? And what is the intervention we need to do for them?)

Three students were killed while 20 others were hurt when the two teenagers, the 15- and 14-year-old, fired shots inside the San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City on June 22.

Authorities have filed a criminal complaint against the 15-year-old student, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) said Wednesday.

The 14-year-old however is exempt from criminal liability based on the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (JJWA).

Under Republic Act No. 9344, or the JJWA, children aged 15 and below at the time an offense is committed are exempt from criminal liability and are instead placed under intervention programs. Children above 15 but below 18 may only be held criminally liable if proven to have acted with discernment.

READ: PH keeps one of Asia's highest ages of criminal responsibility

Both students involved in the shooting were committed to the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) where they are being monitored by social workers, house parents, and police, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said Sunday.

Age of criminal liability

Gatchalian said the DSWD is also ready to join discussions on proposals to lower the age of criminal liability, following Malacañang’s statement that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is open to listening to different views on the matter.

“Makikilahok tayo sa diskusyon tungkol sa pagbaba ng age of criminal liability kasi 'yan ang usapan ngayon,” he said.

(We will participate in the discussion on lowering the age of criminal liability because that's a hot topic now.)

He says the review should determine whether the law itself needs to be amended or whether the problem lies in its implementation.

“Para malaman natin, dapat na bang repasuhin ang batas o okay pa ang batas at sa implementasyon nagkakaproblema? 'Yan 'yung mga anggulo. But the important fact is we are ready to listen sa mga policy expert at sa mga eksperto sa field na ito,” he added.

(For us to know if the law should be amended or it is still okay and it's in the implementation that we are having problems. Those are the angles. But the important fact is we are ready to listen to policy experts and experts in this field.)

Gatchalian added that current realities, including social media, bullying, and other risk factors, should also be considered in reviewing policies involving children in conflict with the law.

“Para malaman natin kasi nagbabago na ang mundo eh, na baka 'yung mga batas natin doesn’t take into account 'yung current situation na social media and bullying and all these risk factors are at play," he said.

(So we will know, because the world is changing. Maybe our laws do not take into account the current situation wherein social media and bullying and all these risk factors are at play.)

Community water supply

Gatchalian made the remarks during his visit to Barangay Lumbangan in Zamboanga City, where he inspected a community water supply project under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, which helps poor and vulnerable households improve their income through sustainable livelihood projects.

The project of the Solo Parents de Lumbangan SLP Association uses a P600,000 seed fund to put up a community water supply system that now provides clean and affordable water for 24 households.

Households pay P2,000 for installation and around P160 to P800 monthly, depending on their water consumption, while the association currently has P15,000 in its bank account.

Gatchalian said he wants Barangay Lumbangan to serve as a model for similar livelihood projects in other communities. —KG, GMA News