The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday directed local school boards to maximize the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) for campus security following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the SEF may be used to purchase handheld metal detectors, repair perimeter fences and fund other school security measures allowed under existing regulations.

DepEd also ordered a nationwide school safety audit and increased coordination with law enforcement agencies after the attack, which left four people dead and several others injured.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla renewed his call for Congress to amend Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, saying the law should place greater emphasis on an offender’s intent and discernment rather than age alone.

He said the Tacloban shooting, involving 14- and 15-year-old students, exposed weaknesses in the current law.

“This is the weakness of the Juvenile Justice Act. The children were saying, ‘Nothing will happen to me because I am only 14 years old,’” Remulla said.

He also noted that police have observed drug syndicates using 14-year-olds as couriers because they cannot easily be held criminally liable.

“I think age is not important. Cognizance and intent are the most important factors,” he said.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, children 15 years old and below are exempt from criminal liability and instead undergo intervention programs, while those above 15 but below 18 may be held criminally liable only if they acted with discernment.