The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday that charges will be filed against a 15-year-old student implicated in the deadly shooting incident in Tacloban City that resulted in three deaths and left several others critically injured.
Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said prosecutors in Tacloban recommended four counts of frustrated murder and six counts of attempted murder against the minor.
“Our prosecutors found that he acted with discernment and in conspiracy with the second minor,” Dato said during a press briefing.
Dato explained that discernment refers to a child’s capacity to understand the difference between right and wrong and recognize the consequences of choosing to commit an unlawful act.
“In general terms… if the [child in conflict with the law] has shown his ability to distinguish between right and wrong and still proceeded to commit the wrong,” he added.
According to Dato, prosecutors will file 10 informations before the Tacloban Regional Trial Court (RTC).
The recommended bail was set at ₱72,000 for each frustrated murder charge and ₱30,000 for every attempted murder charge, bringing the total proposed bail to ₱468,000.
The 15-year-old is also facing three murder charges and two counts of attempted murder before the Family Court of the Tacloban RTC over allegations that he conspired with another minor who is exempt from criminal liability.
The DOJ said five informations in connection with those allegations were filed on July 13, 2026.
The case stems from a shooting at San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, in late June involving two students aged 15 and 14.
Dato said the 14-year-old respondent is currently undergoing intervention as part of the juvenile justice process.
Authorities investigate alleged grooming network
The DOJ had earlier said the aunt of one of the minors involved would also face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida previously raised concerns about an alleged pattern in which so-called “groomers” target children who play video games and encourage them to participate in separate online chat rooms.
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said investigators had identified a group allegedly involved in grooming minors.
He said the group purportedly has a “tenet or bible” that encourages members to engage in violent acts.