Tacloban school shooting: Cop linked to gun relieved from post

MANILA, Philippines — The police officer who owned the 9mm pistol allegedly used in the Tacloban City school shooting has been placed under restrictive custody and relieved from her post, the Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas (PRO 8) said on Tuesday.

“Yesterday, she was placed under restrictive custody by her immediate superior,” PRO 8 director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy told reporters in a phone interview.

“She was relieved afterward. The administrative investigation against the police officer who owned the gun is now being prepared,” he added.

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

Capoy only identified the police officer as a police staff sergeant assigned to PRO 8.

The Philippine National Police previously identified the suspects in the shooting as two male Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15.

The 14-year-old suspect allegedly used a 9mm pistol traced to his aunt, the police staff sergeant now under restrictive custody over the incident, while the 15-year-old suspect supposedly used a caliber .38 revolver traced to a Cebu-based security agency.

The suspects opened fire at San Jose National High School on Monday morning, killing at least three students and injuring several others.

Both suspects are now in the custody of the police and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, according to Capoy. /mcm