Tacloban shooting suspect faces preliminary probe

The 15-year-old suspect in the Tacloban school shooting will undergo preliminary investigation after prosecutors completed inquest proceedings on three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, the Department of Justice said Thursday.

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the charges against the child in conflict with the law, identified only as “Rod,” were filed before the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office on 24 June.

“Following the inquest, CICL Rod will now undergo the regular preliminary investigation process,” Dato said.

The suspect remains in government custody at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Eastern Visayas while the case proceeds.

A second suspect, identified only as “Nash,” 14, remains under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the same rehabilitation facility, where he is undergoing intervention programs based on the assessment of social workers.

Dato said the younger boy is exempt from criminal prosecution under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

The Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office, with the assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office, filed a petition for his involuntary commitment on June 23.

Dato said the duration and nature of the intervention program will depend on the assessment and orders of the appropriate court.