Cebu student found with gun allegedly owned by grandfather — PNP
Content warning: School shooting
MANILA, Philippines — A firearm found inside the school bag of a Grade 9 student in Pinamungajan, Cebu was allegedly owned by the minor's grandfather, Philippine National Police Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
The firearm was discovered during a school bag inspection on August 20. School officials then coordinated with police, according to Nartatez.
“The firearm was recovered without ammunition and is now under police custody for proper safekeeping and disposition,” Nartatez said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Nartatez said the firearm was allegedly owned by the student's grandfather, but authorities are still verifying the ownership and the circumstances surrounding its possession.
“If established, appropriate accountability will be determined in accordance with existing laws,” he said.
The minor was turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for appropriate intervention in accordance with Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
The student's guardian and concerned barangay officials were likewise coordinated with, Nartatez said.
The top cop commended the school personnel for their vigilance and coordination with authorities.
“The PNP appreciates the vigilance of the school personnel and their prompt coordination with authorities, which helped ensure that the matter was immediately addressed,” he said.
The PNP chief also reminded parents, guardians and firearm custodians to keep guns properly secured and inaccessible to children and unauthorized persons.
“Schools and communities are likewise encouraged to promptly coordinate with authorities whenever safety concerns arise,” the PNP chief said.
Nartatez said the PNP remains committed to working with schools, families and communities to maintain safe learning environments while protecting the rights and welfare of children.
School gun recovery after Zamboanga shooting
The firearm was found two days after a fatal school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a 14-year-old student killed a fellow junior high school student before fatally shooting himself. Two others were wounded.
The incident was livestreamed through the shooter's Facebook account and another website, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
The Zamboanga shooting was the country's second fatal school shooting in less than two months.
In June, three students were killed and at least 20 others were wounded in a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Nationwide active attack drill
The Department of Education will hold a nationwide school safety drill on August 25, with teachers, students and school personnel practicing how to respond to an “active attack” on campus.
DepEd ordered schools to conduct the drill simultaneously at 9 a.m. based on their respective contingency plans for active attack incidents.
The directive was issued on August 12, six days before the Zamboanga shooting, amid the increasing occurrence of active shooting and other attack incidents affecting schools and communities worldwide.
Each DepEd regional office was ordered to designate one school as the ceremonial venue. Education Secretary Sonny Angara is set to join the activity at Carlos F. Gonzales High School in Maguinao, San Rafael, Bulacan.
Other schools are strongly encouraged to conduct their own drills on August 25 or on an adjusted schedule. Schools unable to hold the drill on the prescribed date must notify their division Disaster Risk Reduction and Management coordinator. — with a report from Cristina Chi
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