Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to proposals lowering the age of criminal responsibility following the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City, Malacañang said Tuesday, June 23, as authorities investigate how two minors carried out the attack.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said the president is willing to consider amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act if Congress determines that changes are needed in response to the growing number of crimes involving minors.
“Depende po iyan, kasi kung ano pong makikita na version ng pangulo, at kung ito naman ay magiging mas makakabuti sa ating mga kabataan at para sa pagpapatupad ng ating batas ay sasang-ayunan naman po ng Pangulo iyan,” Castro said.
[Translation: That will depend on the version that reaches the president, and if it will benefit our youth and improve the implementation of the law, the president will support it.]
The issue resurfaced after two minors allegedly opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday, killing three students and injuring 20 others.
Castro added the administration has yet to adopt a specific position on the proposed age threshold but described as “reasonable” the Philippine National Police’s recommendation to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old.
“Sa ngayon ay walang posisyon ang pangulo kung anong edad pero kung ang sina-suggest nila ay twelve years old, ito ay resonableng edad,” she said.
[Translation: For now, the president has no position on the specific age, but if what is being suggested is 12 years old, that is a reasonable age.]
Castro said authorities must also examine whether intervention programs for children in conflict with the law are properly enforced.
She noted that while laws provide interventions for minors, some young offenders may believe they can avoid accountability at their age.
“Nakikita po natin na kapag sinabi natin ay hindi ka naman makakasuhan mas malakas iyong loob nila na gumawa ng hindi maganda,” Castro said.
[Translation: We see that when young people think they cannot be charged, they become more emboldened to commit wrongful acts.]
She said responsibility for preventing youth violence extends beyond government and should involve parents, guardians, and schools.
The shooting has also prompted a broader review of school security measures and the possible influence of violent online content on minors.
Earlier in the briefing, Castro said the president is open to proposals regulating access to violent online games and applications if lawmakers determine that such measures are necessary.
The Philippine National Police said both suspects, aged 14 and 15, are under government custody as investigators continue to determine the motive behind the attack.
