The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing intensive interventions to the two detained minors who were involved in the recent school shooting incident in Tacloban City, Leyte, emphasizing that comprehensive psychological assessment, family participation, and individualized intervention plans remain central to their recovery and eventual reintegration into society.

During the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on Thursday (July 2), Asst. Secretary Ada Colico of the agency’s Protective Programs said the two minors are currently under the care of a DSWD-managed Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), where they are receiving specialized and closely-monitored interventions.

“Sa Tacloban case po natin, yung dalawa pong bata, may separate room po sila, hindi sila humalo doon sa iba pang residents ng RRCY. Mayroon silang exclusive na house parent and exclusive psychologist na talagang nakatutok sa kanila, regularly silang kinakausap, even yung case manager nila na social worker. So intensive ang kanilang intervention,” Asst. Secretary Colico told reporters.

The DSWD official added that the two minors remain under restricted movement while their assessments continue.

“Sa ngayon hindi pa po (sila nakakalabas sa kanilang room) and then wala rin po silang communication pa sa parents,” Asst. Secretary Colico said.

Facing more questions from members of the media, the DSWD official emphasized that all information concerning the minors remain confidential in accordance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

“Hindi pa po natin puwedeng i-divulge yung information. All information about sa ating mga client is confidential. Ang masasabi lang po natin ay ongoing pa rin po ang kanilang psychological assessment. At ito po ay may nakatutok na mga psychologist na exclusive po sa kanila tumitingin. Also, our social workers and our house parents, mayroon po talagang nakatutok po sa kanila,” Asst. Secretary Colico explained to the media.

The DSWD official also said the Department has yet to determine when the children’s parents may be allowed to visit, stressing that such decisions will depend entirely on professional assessments.

“Depende po yan sa magiging assessment ng ating mga social worker at ng ating psychologist. Kasi doon po nakadepende sa situation or condition din ng mga bata kung ano yung next steps. May intervention plan po tayo kung saan nakalagay ano yung pagdadaanan na mga activities, anong mga therapeutic activities ang kailangang pagdaanan ng dalawang bata, at anong mga rehabilitation o anong mga medical needs ng mga bata. So lahat po yun ay naka-breakdown din sa intervention plan. So sa ngayon po, hindi po kami makapagbigay ng konkretong panahon kung kailan puwede,” Asst. Secretary Colico told reporters.

The DSWD official stressed that rehabilitation extends beyond the child and requires the active participation of the family through what the Department describes as a holistic and total family approach.

“Isa sa crucial part ng rehabilitation ng bata is yung participation ng family, kasi itong support na ito ay importante in rehabilitating yung ating mga CICL. Ito po ay tinatawag nating holistic approach at total family approach. Kasi sinasabi po natin, yung bata ay hindi naman makaka-commit ng crime solely by himself or herself, kundi by many factors,” Asst. Secretary Colico said.

The DSWD official noted that parenting, home environment, and peer influence are among the factors considered during rehabilitation.

“Sabi nga po sa (Senate) hearing kahapon, posibleng ang parenting mismo ay isa sa reasons kung bakit nag-commit ng crime ang mga bata. Maaaring sa environment, maaaring sa support ng kanyang close peers. So yun po yung mga different factors na dapat tingnan natin. At sabi po natin kasama po sa intervention plan natin, rehabilitation plan is involvement ng parents,” Asst. Secretary Colico said.

When asked about the possible influence of video games and online content, the DSWD official said experts recognize that these may contribute to children’s behavior, but she emphasized that they should not be viewed in isolation.

“Lumalabas po na malaking factor yung mga nasa social media, internet (games), kasi ito pong mga minor ay parang mayroong nakitang koneksyon sa 764 network, at ito ay parang mga extremists. So may group na organized. Pero ang sabi naman ng mga experts is dapat ang approach ay hindi lang yung parte na yun. Tingnan din po natin yung role ng parents. So kailangan din ma-emphasize yung parental support at parental monitoring. Ito po ay importanteng bahagi rin in terms of doon sa cases na na-encounter natin,” Asst. Secretary Colico said.

The DSWD official likewise stressed that professional assessments, not self-declaration from the CICLs, determine whether a child is ready to return to the community.

“Yung atin pong mga psychologist, marami po tayong tests na ginagawa sa mga bata. Ito po yung nagiging basehan ng ating mga social workers, multidisciplinary people, nag-uusap-usap para kung puwede na ba talaga itong batang ito to be integrated sa community or talagang rehabilitated na siya. At hindi po basehan na sasabihin ng bata na ‘okay na po, rehabilitated na po.’ Hindi po puwede yun,” Asst. Secretary Colico told the media.

Beyond residential care, the Department continues to strengthen community-based interventions aimed at preventing children from committing offenses.

“Ang DSWD, mayroon din po tayong mga community-based programs. We are strengthening the responsibilities of the parents, we are strengthening the prevention of these crimes at the community level. And then mayroon din po tayong Parent Effectiveness Services, which are community-based programs,” Asst. Secretary Colico said.

The Media Forum is held weekly at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center and hosted by Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) Raymond Burgos and Digital Media Service (DMS) Director Dianne Joie Ruiz. (CC)