MANILA — The two children in conflict with the law (CICLs) involved in the recent school shooting in Tacloban City are now under the custody of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) in Eastern Visayas, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) said.

JJWC Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco said the minors are currently undergoing psychological assessments and other evaluation procedures to help determine the factors that may have led to the incident.

“‘Yung sa dalawang bata ngayon, hindi pa sila hinahalo doon sa ibang mga bata. Hindi rin sila pinagsasamang dalawa kase ino-observe pa sila. We don’t recommend na i-isolate forever ang isang bata kasi baka makalimutan niya na siya ay bata. Ang gusto kasi natin, maibalik sa dati [ang kaniyang pag-iisip] bago niya ma-commit ‘yung krimen na’yun,” Oco said during a media forum in Quezon City.

According to Oco, the two minors are being housed separately and remain under observation while assessments are ongoing.

She reiterated that Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, requires the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law through appropriate psychosocial interventions.

Oco also stressed that the law does not exempt juvenile offenders from accountability.

“Inside the facility, the CICLs are strictly monitored and their movements are restricted, similar to persons deprived of their liberty,” she said.

She added that civil or criminal cases may also be filed against the parents of the minors, depending on the outcome of the ongoing police investigation.

Meanwhile, DSWD Crisis Intervention Program Director Edwin Morata said the facility imposes restrictions on the daily activities of the minors, similar to measures implemented for persons deprived of liberty.

“Wala silang access to everything. Restricted. Even ‘yung pagkain nila, even yung pag visit sa kanila. Ang tinitignan natin kasi dito is for them to bring back this kid doon sa idea na dapat may mga sinusunod tayong polisiya pagdating natin ng komunidad,” Morata said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, has also provided assistance to students and families affected by the shooting incident.

The agency’s Field Office 8 initially conducted psychosocial first aid interventions for affected individuals.

Morata said the DSWD, in coordination with the Tacloban City government, will shoulder the medical and burial expenses of the families of the three fatalities. The agency has also released PHP20,000 in cash assistance to the affected families.

In addition, the DSWD will cover the medical expenses of the 13 students who were hospitalized through guarantee letters issued under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Oco also said the JJWC is open to participating in discussions on possible amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, but emphasized the need for a broader assessment of the factors behind youth violence.

“’Wag lang natin tutukan ‘yung minimum age [of criminal liability] kase kailangan makahanap tayo ng tamang solusyon sa nangyari. Iku-quote ko lang yung psychologist na nakausap ko, sabi niya, it might be a lazy way of finding solutions to violence. Andami kasing factors kung bakit nila ito ginagawa,” Oco said.

As part of its intervention efforts, the DSWD plans to strengthen training and skills development programs for social workers handling similar cases.

The agency will also review parent effectiveness and family development sessions under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to help ensure parents are equipped to guide their children amid evolving social challenges.