Guns in Tacloban shooting belong to suspect’s cop aunt, security agency

MANILA, Philippines — The firearms used in the shooting incident at a Tacloban City high school on Monday allegedly belonged to a policewoman who was one of the suspects’ aunt and a security agency, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Earlier, the Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas (PRO 8) said it recovered a caliber .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol from two suspects, who were minors.

“Upon verification the 9mm Glock belongs or was issued to a policewoman assigned in PRO 8,” PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday afternoon.

READ: Both suspects in Tacloban City school shooting arrested — police

“The subject policewoman is now under investigation and placed under the custody of the regional police office,” he further noted.

“[Meanwhile,] the caliber .38 revolver is registered to a security agency in Cebu City,” Co added.

A total of 40 empty bullet shells were recovered by police investigators at the crime scene, the PNP public information chief also detailed.

The shooting incident occurred at around 9 a.m. on Monday, when two Grade 9 students opened fire in at least two rooms inside the school premises in Barangay San Jose.

Co identified the suspects by the aliases Nash, 14; and Rod, 15.

The PNP public information chief also specified that it was Nash who had allegedly used his policewoman aunt’s 9mm pistol during the incident.

“[She is] deemed [to be] not properly taking care of her firearm. She will likewise face a case and the PNP will ensure she will face whatever the necessary cases will be filed against her,” Co explained.

He noted that the two suspects had begun shooting inside the school premises after classes began on Monday morning.

Co added that the local police were able to respond within two minutes, catching Rod with five unused bullets left in his revolver’s chamber; and Nash with three unused bullets left in his pistol’s magazine.

Co said the police are still investigating whether there had been any lapses on the part of the school security.

Earlier, PRO 8 director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy told reporters in a phone interview that the school only had one security guard on duty during the time of the incident.

Three were killed during the attack, while three others were only wounded by the gunfire and four more were injured when they rushed to escape, according to the PNP.

The suspects are currently under police custody, awaiting turnover to the city social welfare department per Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. /das/cb