THE Department of Justice has recommended the filing of six counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder against the 15-year-old student involved in the shooting incident inside the San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City, which killed three students and injured several others last June 22.
At a press briefing, Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the prosecution has established that the 15-year-old child in conflict with the law (CICL) ‘acted with discernment’ in conspiracy with another minor in carrying out the attack.
Dato said the charges will be filed before the Regional Trial Court in Tacloban City.
For the six counts of frustrated murder, the DOJ recommended a bail of P36,000 for each count and a bail of P 72,000 each for the four counts of attempted murder.
On the other hand, Dato said the 14-year-old CICL will not be subjected to criminal procedures since minors 14 and below are legally exempt from criminal liability.
Instead, he will be placed under the juvenile justice system and undergo intervention programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
‘The 14-year-old is a minor, so the criminal process will not affect him. But the intervention or the jurisdiction over him is now under the local social welfare development office,’ Dato explained.
However, the DOJ earlier indicted the police officer-aunt of the 14-year-old CICL reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries after the latter managed to use her issued firearm during the shooting incident.
The police officer was identified as Police Ssgt. Arla Ray Paciencia.