Family of Tacloban shooting victim wants 14-year-old suspect charged

The family of Ayessa Nicole Dazo, one of the three students killed in the school shooting in Tacloban City, wants the 14-year-old suspect to also face charges.

The suspects in the shooting are both minors, 14 and 15 years old.

So far, only the 15-year-old suspect has been charged before the prosecutor’s office.

“Kung pwede, kahit 14 years old sana ma-file-an ng kaso… hindi na maibabalik ang buhay ng anak ko na nagkaganyan… para lang siya nagbaril ng aso… Kahit 14 years old kasi, nakapatay siya, dapat ikulong para makaranas siya kung ano ang nararamdaman ng nandoon sa loob ng kulungan,” said Nico, Dazo’s father.

(If possible, perhaps they can file a case against 14 year olds... the life of my daughter who was killed won't be brought back... it's like she was shot like a dog... Even if he is just 14- years old, he killed someone, he should be jailed so he can experience what those in prison have to go through.)

“Kasi siya ang naka-ano sa anak ko… maraming nagsasabi sa mga kasamahan niya sa school sa loob ng paaralan, siyang nakabaril tapos ganun ganun lang… iko-comfort pa nila… makulong talaga yung 14 years old, hindi lang sa DSWD… ilagay nila sa detention sa pulis kasi hindi katanggap-tanggap ang ginawa niya… alam nila may mga menor de edad din na gagaya… malalaman ng iba, ah, yung 14 years old hindi pala nakukulong… gawin natin ito. 'Yan ang tinitingnan nilang ehemplo,” Nico added.

(Since he killed my child... many of those who attended school with him, he was the one who shot her and he gets treated like this... that he would be comforted... the 14-year old should be in jail, not under the DSWD... he should be placed in police detention because what he did is unacceptable... they know other minors would copy them... others will know, ah, 14 year olds won't be imprisoned... let's do it too. This is the example they will look at.)

DSWD custody

On June 26, 2026, officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said the two suspects have been placed under the care of a center in Leyte.

The suspects, including their visitors - even parents - will not be allowed to use cellphones in the facility.

They are under the supervision of social workers and house parents.

DSWD said there will be no special treatment for the two minors.

“What we are giving are just the basics and those services that we consider can help in the rehabilitation… the fact is that yung bata ay nandito na sa atin ay makikita natin, wala siya, deprived ba of liberty, freedom, freedom to play like a normal child… the care, the love and presence of parents kasi siya ngayon ay nasa custody na… Ang parents wala din silang freedom na mag-cellphone, TV, and all, moreso, kasi hindi nga sila makalabas. That is now more of a penalty o tawag natin accountability…. result of their actions,” said DSWD-8 Director Grace Subong.

(The fact is the child is here with us and we will see, he will be deprived of liberty, freedom, the freedom to play like a normal child... the care, the love and presence of parents because he is now under our custody... The parents will have no freedom to use a cellphone, TV and all, moreso, because they will not be allowed to go out.)

She said the suspects will stay in the facility until they are rehabilitated.

“Yung bata, yung 14 years old, pag hindi pa rin siya magbago na ma-rehabilitate, hanggang kailan siya tatanda, dun siya kasi nga kailangan niyang maintidihan ano ang consequence ng ginawa niya. Sa ngayon kasi, hindi pa niya maintindinan… para bang, like an adult appreciation of things. Hanggat hindi siya ma-reform or ma-rehabilitated, mananatili siya sa facility,” Subong added.

(The 14-year old child, if he does not change in rehabilitation, how long will he grow up, that is where he must realize the consequence of his actions. Right now, he does not understand... it's like an adult appreciation of things. As long as he is not reformed or rehabilitated, he will remain in the facility.)

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of the Philippines, instead of facing jail time, suspects 15 years old below may undergo mandatory intervention and rehabilitation programs facilitated by government social workers. —Nikko Sereno/RF, GMA Regional TV News

Read related story: School bullying eyed as motive in Tacloban school shooting