Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782266928412HLh2q1saAAACCz4 (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">PRO 8 confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the complaints, including three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries, were filed Tuesday night before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban<em>. Contributed via Jeanette Ruedas</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>2ND UPDATE</strong>) -- Police have formally filed criminal complaints against the 15-year-old suspect in the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School, after social workers determined the minor acted with discernment.</p><p>The criminal complaint, filed through inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban, marks the first formal legal action taken in connection with the June 22 school shooting that left three students dead and 20 others injured, with three in serious condition.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/24/tacloban-school-shooter-attended-flag-ceremony-hid-in-cr-before-crime-pnp-0950">READ: Tacloban school shooter attended flag ceremony, hid in CR before crime -- PNP</a></div><p>&quot;Iyong na-file natin ng criminal complaint last night through inquest proceeding with the Tacloban City Prosecutor&#x27;s Office ay iyong CICL age 15,&quot; said Police Lieutenant Colonel Analiza Armeza, chief of the Public Information Office of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8).</p><p>Police said the complaint charges the 15-year-old with three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries arising from the June 22 shooting. </p><p>&quot;Because under the law, &#x27;pag mga CICL na 15 years old one day and above, below 18, kailangan magpa-discernment with the Social Welfare and Development Office to determine if that child committed or acted with discernment,&quot; Armeza explained.</p><p>&quot;Kasi &#x27;pag acted with discernment siya, that&#x27;s just the time na puwede tayo mag-proceed with the filing of appropriate criminal complaints,&quot; she added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CONVICTION DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN IMPRISONMENT</strong></div><p>Armeza also clarified another aspect of the law that has generated public confusion.</p><p>Even if the 15-year-old is eventually convicted, imprisonment is not automatically imposed.</p><p>Instead, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act provides for a suspended sentence for a child in conflict with the law who acted with discernment. The child would instead be committed to a rehabilitation facility, where intervention and diversion programs would be implemented under the supervision of social workers.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/24/tacloban-school-shooters-had-target-police-1256">READ: Tacloban school shooters had target — police</a></div><p>According to Armeza, rehabilitation may continue until the child reaches 21 years old.</p><p>Only after a formal assessment will social workers determine whether rehabilitation has been successful.</p><p>&quot;Up until 21 years old, ia-assess siya kung fully rehabilitated or reform na siya. Depende sa assessment, kung yes, fully rehabilitated and reformed na siya, wala na sir. Wala na siyang magiging criminal liability. But if hindi siya fully rehabilitated… posible pong i-serve niya iyong remaining period of the sentence,&quot; Armeza explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHY 14-YEAR-OLD WAS NOT CHARGED</strong></div><p>Armeza says the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act totally exempts children below 15 years old from criminal liability.</p><p>Instead of facing criminal prosecution, they are referred to social welfare authorities for intervention and rehabilitation.</p><p>&quot;We have the law kasi na dapat nating sundin, iyong RA 9344. So wala pong considerations. &#x27;Pag ang bata talaga is below 15, kahit anumang crime ang ma-commit niya, wala talaga siyang criminal liability. Ang dapat lang sa kanya ay mag-undergo siya ng intervention program,&quot; Armeza said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/24/police-looking-at-family-issues-involving-14-year-old-suspect-in-tacloban-school-shooting-1705">READ: Police looking at family issues involving 14-year-old suspect in Tacloban school shooting</a></div><p>Police said the intervention program will be designed and supervised by the CSWDO, with its duration depending on the child&#x27;s assessment and rehabilitation needs.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PARENTS MAY STILL FACE LIABILITY</strong></div><p>While the criminal complaint has so far been filed only against the 15-year-old suspect, investigators are also studying whether the parents of the two minors bear any legal responsibility arising from the incident.</p><p>&quot;We will be taking that into consideration na iyong possible liability of the parents. But as for the civil liability, there is a civil liability of the parents sa na-commit na crime ng kanilang mga anak,&quot; Armeza said.</p><p>She explained that civil liability may include damages, reimbursement of expenses and other compensation that may be awarded to the victims or their families.</p><p>Police also have not ruled out the criminal liability on the part of the parents but emphasized that would require substantial evidence.</p><p>According to Armeza, investigators must first establish whether there was direct participation, influence or neglect that could be legally linked to the commission of the crime.</p><p>&quot;As to the criminal liability naman ng mga parents, we will be looking into that. That will be part of the investigation pa na gagawin namin to determine kung there is direct participation or influence of the parents sa commission of the crime ng kanilang anak,&quot; she said. </p><p>She later said police legal officers had also reminded investigators that criminal liability is generally personal under Philippine law, making any extension of criminal responsibility to parents legally complex.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/24/lower-age-of-criminal-responsibility-groups-lawmakers-urge-caution-vs-exploiting-tragedies-1454">READ: Lower age of criminal responsibility? Groups, lawmakers urge caution vs &#x27;exploiting&#x27; tragedies</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3pnAhyE1EP0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>PRO 8 confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the complaints include three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries.</p>

PRO 8 confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the complaints include three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries.

Police file criminal raps vs 15-year-old Tacloban school shooter

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Police file criminal raps vs 15-year-old Tacloban school shooter

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News,

with Jeanette Ruedas

Published June 24, 2026 09:27 AM PHT

|

Updated June 24, 2026 06:31 PM PHT

Read More:

tacloban

school shooting

crime

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