Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has pushed back against intense public misinformation surrounding the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act following a fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22.
Pangilinan clarified that minors who commit offenses are not exempt from accountability, emphasizing that the legal framework establishes clear consequences and rehabilitation procedures.
“May pananagutan. May proseso. May mga intervention upang matiyak na hindi na ito mauulit.”
The senator noted that parents can also be held legally responsible if they are found negligent in supervising and caring for their children.
Furthermore, he reminded the public that the government, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is legally obligated to assist the victims and their families.
Defending the law against claims that it allows young offenders to walk free, Pangilinan warned that releasing minors implicated in crimes without due process violates the law and carries strict penalties.
“Ang tunay na hamon ay hindi ang pagpapakalat ng takot at disinformation, kundi ang ganap na pagpapatupad ng batas at pagtiyak na may hustisya, accountability, at proteksyon para sa lahat ng bata.”
The deadly incident in Tacloban, which left three dead and multiple individuals injured, has renewed intense nationwide debate over how the justice system treats underage offenders.
Weighing in on the matter, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council Executive Director Tricia Oco clarified that children over 15 years old can face formal criminal charges, whereas those below 15 are placed under mandatory government intervention.
“Dahil napaka-seryoso nung crime, maaari sihang kunin ng gobyerno, kukunin siya sa pamilya niya,” Oco said in a radio interview.
“Tatanggalin yung kalayaan niya at ipapa-undergo siya nung tinatawag natin na intensive intervention program para hindi na maulit.”
Oco also pointed out that robust support structures are vital for victims, noting that children exposed to such extreme violence experience severe trauma and require specialized recovery programs.
Pangilinan concluded by reiterating that the existing law comprehensively addresses youth accountability, parental liability, and state intervention, but noted that proper execution by authorities remains the core issue.
“Nariyan yung batas. Ang challenge talaga is to implement it in full. Huwag po tayong maniniwala sa kasinungalingan na paulit-ulit na ginagawang disinformation campaign labas sa batas na ito.”