Actions for CICL to be age-appropriate under law - DSWD chief ~ HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS

Friday, June 26, 2026

Actions for CICL to be age-appropriate under law - DSWD chief

Friday, June 26, 2026 Herbert Curia - Promoter No comments

From the Website of PNA
links:https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1278142

Actions for CICL to be age-appropriate under law - DSWD chief

MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex

Gatchalian on Friday said the two children in conflict with the law (CICL) involved in the tragic school shooting in Tacloban City will not be treated differently, but will instead be handled through age-appropriate interventions in accordance with the country’s Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

“I would like to look at it as not treating them differently but rather age-appropriate yung response. Ilagay natin sa opposite side of spectrum kasi mayroon naman tayong kaso ng matatandang tao naman yung nakakulong at umabot sa certain age at pinalalaya na lang because of humanitarian reason (an age-appropriate response. Let’s put it on the opposite side of the spectrum, because there are cases of incarcerated elderly persons who reached a certain age, and they are freed due to humanitarian reasons),” Gatchalian said in a televised interview.

“Ito hindi humanitarian but rather age appropriate yung paghawak sa kanila. Pero pagdating nila sa age of majority, lalo na yung 15-year-old, age-appropriate pa rin yung magiging response o yung paghawak sa kanila (In this case, it is not a humanitarian reason, but rather an age-appropriate handling. But when they reach the age of majority, especially the 15-year-old, the response would still be age-appropriate),” he said.

The DSWD chief explained that while the law requires an age-appropriate approach in handling CICL, this does not remove their accountability.

For the 15-year-old suspect, Gatchalian explained that, if found guilty, the suspect may receive a suspended sentence and remain at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), a DSWD-managed center where an appropriate diversion plan will be implemented.

He said the minor’s progress will be regularly evaluated, with periodic reports submitted to the court.

“Pag napagkasunduan na by age of majority na hindi siya na-reform, then makukulong siya (If assessed that he did not reform upon the age of majority, he will be sent to prison),” he said.

On the other hand, the DSWD chief said the 14-year-old suspect, despite being below the minimum age of criminal responsibility, will also remain under the custody of the DSWD.

“Yung case ng 14-year-old, kahit wala pa syang criminal liability, wala na rin sya sa komunidad nya. Hindi na sya babalik doon (In the case of the 14-year-old, even if he has no criminal liability, he is no longer in his community, he will not return there). For his safety and for the communities’ safety, nasa amin na sya (he will stay with us),” he said.

Gatchalian pointed out that the intervention plan for the younger suspect will depend on the assessment of DSWD social workers and the case manager.

If social workers determine that there is no improvement, the child may continue staying at the rehabilitation center.

“Depende na rin yan sa magiging intervention plan at sa assessment ng mga social worker, pag nakita nila na walang improvement, mayroon kaming cases na nasa amin sya. Parang inilagay ka rin in detention pero sa Bahay Pag-asa or RRCY. Pero may liability, hindi na magiging normal yung mga buhay nila, wala na sila sa nga komunidad nila (It depends on the intervention plan and assessment of social workers, if they see that there’s no improvement, there are cases that they stayed with us. It’s like being placed in a detention center, but at the Bahay Pag-asa or RRCY. But there’s still a liability, their lives would not return to normal, they are removed from their communities, they are in our custody, and they are in our rehabilitation center,” Gatchalian said.

He explained that the RRCY and LGU-run Bahay Pag-asa facilities provide an age-appropriate setting that complies with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and the country’s international commitments on the rights of CICL.

He also assured that the DSWD will provide all necessary assistance to help all individuals affected by the incident, especially the three bereaved families.

“Ang instruction ng ating Pangulo [Fedinand R. Marcos Jr.], lahat ng kakailanganin ng mga naging biktima ay kailangan ibigay natin (The instruction of our President Marcos is to give all the help the victims need),” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian also reiterated that the DSWD shares the same openness as President Marcos in discussing the minimum age of criminal responsibility for minors.

“I said ‘subject matter experts.’ Kailangan natin ng mga child development experts, child psychologists. Kailangan marinig natin yung scientific evidence bago tayo magdesisyon (We need child development experts, child psychologists. We need to hear the scientific evidence before we decide),” he said.“Kaya ang statement mg ating Pangulo ay open para makinig, makilahok, pag-usapan para makahanap tayo ng magandang way forward. Kami rin (That’s why the statement of the President is open to listen, participate, and discuss to find the right way forward, like us also), the Department has always been working with policy experts,” Gatchalian said. (PNA)

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