Manila, June 23 -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday assured the public that the agency will strictly adhere to Republic Act (RA) No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act in addressing the tragic school shooting in Tacloban City, Leyte.

"Una gusto kong linawin na ang batas natin, napakalinaw ang mga dapat gawin. Marami kasi nagsasabi na baka hindi maparusahan ang dapat maparusahan (First I'd like to clarify that our law, things to be done are clear. Many said that maybe the culprit couldn't be penalized) -- quite the contrary," Gatchalian said in a radio interview.

"Nakalagay sa batas na pag 15 years old ka pero mababa sa 18 years old, so 15 to below 18, 'yung criminal liabi...