TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field office here has assured the public that comprehensive security measures are in place at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Tanauan, Leyte, where the two minor suspects in the deadly school shooting in this city are under government custody.

DSWD Eastern Visayas Regional Director Grace Subong said security at the rehabilitation center has been significantly strengthened through the deployment of additional security personnel, close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), and improvements to the facility's physical infrastructure.

"We have security guards assigned both outside and inside the facility, and we also have personnel conducting regular roving patrols," Subong said.

To further enhance security, the DSWD has coordinated with the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) to bolster police presence at the center.

The enhanced security measures followed a coordination meeting led by LPPO officer-in-charge Police Col. Celerino Sacro Jr. and DSWD officials.

The meeting focused on strengthening security protocols, improving emergency response procedures, and enhancing coordination between the DSWD and the PNP to ensure the safety of the RRCY, its personnel, and its residents.

"We wanted to ensure the safety of the children at the RRCY and give the public peace of mind, so we coordinated with the provincial police," she said.

Subong said a police officer has been assigned to each of the two young shooters under DSWD custody, while another officer has been stationed at the facility's entrance.

She added that the RRCY has also upgraded its physical security by increasing the height of its perimeter walls to deter escape attempts.

Steel grills have likewise been installed in rooftop areas, which also serve as activity and drying spaces for residents.

Despite the heightened security, Subong emphasized that the center continues to maintain a child-friendly environment consistent with its rehabilitation mandate.

"These are children in conflict with the law who are under suspended sentence. While security is important, we must also ensure that they stay in a child-appropriate facility where rehabilitation and healing can continue," she said.

The RRCY currently houses about 30 residents, well below its 80-bed capacity. The DSWD has also deployed additional house parents and social workers to strengthen supervision and provide psychosocial interventions.

Subong acknowledged that while isolated escape incidents have occurred in the past, the DSWD has established protocols that require immediate coordination with barangay officials, local government units, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and the police.

Such incidents are also reported to the courts, which may issue warrants of arrest depending on the circumstances.

Meanwhile, the two shooting suspects remain under strict restrictions while undergoing medical, psychological, and social assessments.

Subong said the minors are being housed separately from the center's other residents and are not allowed to accept visitors, including family members.

"There is no contact and no interview policy for the two minors at this time, except with our house parents and social workers," she said.

She explained that while regular RRCY residents may eventually receive family visits after complying with established protocols, the restrictions on the two minors remain necessary while assessments are ongoing.

Subong also appealed to barangay officials, local government units, and the public to continue supporting the DSWD's efforts to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law.

"We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the children under our custody. We welcome the support and cooperation of our barangay officials and local government units because this responsibility is shared by everyone, not just the DSWD," she said.

The two minors, identified by police through the aliases "Nash," 14, and "Rod," 15, were arrested in connection with the June 22, 2026, shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the 15-year-old suspect is facing criminal complaints after authorities determined that he acted with discernment during the commission of the crime.

The 14-year-old suspect, meanwhile, is exempt from criminal liability under Philippine law and is undergoing mandatory intervention and rehabilitation under DSWD custody. (PNA)