Lawmaker Calls for Review of Juvenile Justice Law Following Tacloban School Shooting 

Lawmaker Pushes Review of Juvenile Justice Law After Tacloban School Shooting 

A lawmaker calls for review of Juvenile Justice Law and Welfare Act of 2006 following the tragic school shooting in Tacloban City. 

A lawmaker is urging Congress to revisit the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 following the tragic school shooting in Tacloban City that claimed the lives of three students on June 22. 

Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. said the law was created with good intentions, particularly to protect children and recognize that young people may not always fully understand the consequences of their actions. 

However, he believes there is a need to examine whether the law still addresses present-day realities. 

Garbin expressed concern over cases involving minors who are believed to have a clear understanding of their actions yet may rely on their age to avoid full accountability. According to the lawmaker, legal protections for children should not be misused as a way to escape responsibility for serious crimes. 

The call for a review came after reports emerged regarding the Tacloban school shooting. Social media discussions have suggested that the minors involved may have experienced bullying. Garbin, one of the authors of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, said bullying remains a serious problem that can cause lasting harm to victims and negatively affect school environments. 

At the same time, he emphasized that bullying should never be used to justify violence or the taking of another person’s life. He stressed that no amount of pain, anger, or provocation can excuse the deliberate killing of others. 

Garbin also pointed to reports claiming that screenshots of conversations among the suspects suggested they believed they would avoid imprisonment because they were minors. If proven true, he said, such beliefs could indicate that some young offenders are becoming aware of legal protections and may misuse them. 

Despite his concerns, the lawmaker clarified that he is not advocating for the wholesale criminalization of children. Instead, he is calling for reforms that would ensure accountability is based on a minor’s level of understanding and awareness of the consequences of their actions. 

As discussions continue, the proposal has sparked debate on how to balance the protection of children with the need for justice and public safety.