Facebook posts falsely claimed that minors involved in the June 22 Tacloban school shooting would escape punishment under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. The claims targeted Senator Kiko Pangilinan and renewed calls to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
The June 22 shooting in Tacloban City killed three people and injured at least 20. Analysis of over 9,000 public Facebook posts found that around 11 percent discussed the juvenile justice law, with many posts suggesting the two minors tagged in the incident would avoid accountability.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who sponsored the law, stated on the day of the incident that those involved must face the legal process. Authorities filed criminal complaints against the 15-year-old and directed the 14-year-old to an intervention program.
Posts from accounts supporting the Dutertes, including expelled congressman Kiko Barzaga, blamed Pangilinan for the law. Experts warned that proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 10 or 9 years old fail to address root causes and may increase reoffending.
Criminology professor Raymund Narag noted that the law provides various forms of accountability for children in conflict with the law rather than allowing them to walk away.
