%201.svg){kind=logo}
Emergency Hotline:
(+63) 2 911 – 8688
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will let the law enforcement authorities and prosecutors complete the investigation and ensure legal protection for the minors involved in the incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
“The Department will allow law enforcement authorities and the prosecutors concerned to complete their investigation, subject to all applicable safeguards under the law, especially those involving children in conflict with the law,” according to the DOJ
The police have already apprehended the two minors involved in the shooting incident. The two minors are both Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15.
DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez also stated that the executive branch remains focused on implementing the existing laws rather than proposing changes to the age of responsibility under the Juvenile Act.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara agreed with the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the firearm owner must be held accountable for the violence that happened at San Jose National High School.
“Well sinabi rin naman ng PNP ‘to, papanagutin kung kanino nanggaling yung baril. Hindi naman po natural na may baril ang mga bata,” he said
[“Well, the PNP already said this, that whoever owned the gun will be held responsible. It is not natural for children to have firearms.”]
This comes amid existing commentaries to make the teachers and the principal accountable due to alleged negligence, which is why the suspects smoothly brought the firearms inside the campus. Other commentaries also blame the security personnel in the school.
Secretary Angara firmly believes that teachers and principals have no liability for the incident.
“Kasi kung hindi dahil sa mga guro, siguro mas maraming namatay dito. Yung principle hindi rin siguro,” he said
Angara is also willing to talk with the two minor suspects to understand their motives behind that incident.
“I'd like to talk to them.. with the view to understand ano iyong mindset nila,” he said
Currently, the department is reviewing the protocols regarding a to-do lists amid an active shooting incident inside the school.
With reports from JP Nuñez
RELATED VIDEO:
The Department of Education (DepEd) is working with the concerned agencies to deploy critical medical assistance and psychosocial interventions at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
“To address the immediate emotional toll of this tragedy, the Department is working hand-in-hand with relevant government agencies to deploy critical medical assistance and appropriate psychosocial interventions for the affected learners and personnel,” based on Angara’s issued statement
The assistance aims to support affected students and school personnel from the trauma brought by the shooting incident inside the school.
The department expressed sympathy to families of the deceased students from the shooting incident.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our earnest prayers for the swift recovery of those who were injured,” based on the issued statement
The Philippine National Police will intensify the implementation of intensified security measures in schools.
This follows the recent violent incidents that happened inside the campus where both students are the suspects and victims.
PNP Chief PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that “Violence has no place in our schools. Our learners, teachers and school personnel deserve an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.”
Recently, a shooting incident occurred in San Jose National High School in Tacloban City where three students died while six were wounded.
The firearms used by the suspect have already been confiscated. The 9mm pistol used by one student was owned by a police assigned to Police Regional Office 8, while the .38 caliber pistol used by another suspect was registered to a security agency.
In light of this, the Civil Security Group orders the PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies to authorize security guards to intensify the security measures.
“May training naman ang ating mga security guard so dapat higpitan natin dahil sa mga itong mga insidente na nangyari. Malaking bagay ang maitutulong ng ating mga security guard sa ating mga schools to ensure the safety ng ating mga kabataan o ang ating mga estudyante na nag-aaral sa mga schools,” Civil Security Group Director PBGen. Aden Lagradante said
PNP Chief Police General Nartatez Jr. also ordered an intensification of police visibility around schools.
“I therefore direct all police commanders to strengthen police visibility around schools. Intensify preventive patrols, conduct security assessments, and sustain close coordination with school authorities. Local government units, parents and community stakeholders, let us remain proactive and vigilant in addressing threats before they escalate into incident,” he said
The PNP is also working with the Department of Education to prevent the recurrence of violent incidents inside the schools.
With reports from Lea Ylagan
RELATED VIDEO:
Wish 107.5 is ready to roll its iconic bus into Arellano University for the ‘on campus tour’ on June 23, 2026.
The FM station on wheels is set to bring live performances of rising OPM artists from KDR Music House, including:
The Wish campus tour aims to bring world-class Filipino talent to the youth.
See you, mga Kasangbahay and Wishers!
