The recent violent incidents in schools, including the Tacloban shooting, coincided with the airing of Netflix K-drama series ‘Teach You a Lesson’ Episode 6 titled ‘Lock ‘Em Up.’
‘Teach You a Lesson’ is based on the webtoon series ‘Get Schooled’ that follows an inspector from the Educational Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB) who is authorized by the government to use physical intervention and unconventional methods to discipline delinquent students and reform the educational system. It stars Kim Mu-yeol (as Na Hwa-Jin), Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo (as Im Han-Rim), and Pyo Ji-hoon.
The episode centers on a group of four juvenile delinquents who believe they are completely untouchable and above the law due to their age status.
The story shifts gears when the ERPB takes a direct interest in the group’s escalating ‘extracurricular’ crimes. The ERPB intervenes to serve these lawbreakers a brutal, unyielding reality check.
The series explicitly tackles systemic gaps in the juvenile justice system where underage offenders exploit lenient laws to commit serious crimes without fear of real consequence.
On June 22, 2026, at around 9:00 a.m., a school shooting occurred at San Jose National High School in Tacloban where three students were killed and 20 others were injured. Two suspects, aged 14 and 15, were later arrested.
It has renewed debate around the prosecution of juvenile offenders, as well as internet safety of children in the Philippines.
Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act ( RA 9344), minors are treated as ‘Children in Conflict with the Law’ (CICL) rather than common criminals.
Offenders 15 years old and under are exempt from criminal liability. Instead of jail, they are placed under mandatory community-based intervention or rehabilitation programs.
Offenders 16 to 17 years old (and minors 15 and below who commit severe crimes) are exempt from criminal liability unless it is proven by the prosecution that they acted with ‘discernment.’
There is the wrong impression that exemption from criminal liability means that the child faces no consequences and simply walks free.
The children are still accountable since they are removed from ordinary criminal prosecution and placed under intervention or rehabilitation programs designed to address their behavior and circumstances.
They are still under State supervision, and in serious cases still deprived of liberty in a youth care facility.
In CICL XXX vs. People of the Philippines (GR 238798, March 14, 2023), the Supreme Court pointed out that there is a different standard in determining a minor’s culpability for crimes, hence the need for guidelines to streamline the discernment determination process for crimes involving CICL.
The SC defined ‘discernment’ as the capacity of the child at the time of the commission of the offense to understand the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of the wrongful act.
The SC underscored that the determination shall take into account the ability of a child to understand the moral and psychological components of criminal responsibility and the consequences of the wrongful act; and whether a child can be held responsible for essentially antisocial behavior. The task of ascertaining discernment is done preliminarily by a social worker, and finally by the court.
The SC also noted that there is no presumption that a minor acts with discernment. The prosecution must specifically prove as a separate circumstance that the alleged crime was committed with discernment.
For a minor at such an age to be criminally liable, the prosecution is burdened to prove beyond reasonable doubt, by direct or circumstantial evidence, that he or she acted with discernment.
In determining discernment, courts shall consider the totality of facts and circumstances in each case.
The late Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago had proposed a real-life version of the ERPB in the Philippines in 2014 called Senate Bill No. 2329 or the ‘Student Disciplinary Fairness Act.’
It aimed to establish a Committee on School Discipline Policy under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council. It sought to create early warning systems, strengthen intervention, and provide counseling to stop minor behavioral issues from becoming criminal cases.
Although SB 2329 was not passed into law, its core goals focused on keeping young learners in a safe, constructive environment rather than immediately resorting to harsh punishments like arrests or expulsions.
The bill focused on catching behavioral problems early. Instead of automatically suspending or expelling a student for issues like bullying or threats, the goal was to provide counseling and support to fix the root cause of the behavior.
Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786.