Cop dismissed over Tacloban school shooting

MANILA, Philippines —  The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has dismissed a policewoman whose service firearm was used by her 14-year-old nephew in a school shooting in Tacloban, Leyte.

S/Sgt. Arla Ray Paciencia of the regional police finance service unit 8 was found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer for failing to properly secure her 9mm pistol.

The Napolcom said Paciencia, who was on duty on the day of the shooting, left her firearm at home and stored it in a gun box placed inside a plastic cabinet.

Police regulations require   firearms stored in safety vaults.

The shooting, which occurred at the San Jose National High School on June 22, killed three students and wounded several others.

Investigators said Paciencia’s nephew, identified only as Nash, took her pistol to school and fired at least 34 rounds.

Another shooter, identified only as Rod, allegedly used a  revolver linked to a security agency in Cebu.

Paciencia earlier told a Senate inquiry that her nephew entered her house through a window.

She said the boy forcibly opened the locker where the gun was kept.

Aside from dismissal, the government forfeited Paciencia’s benefits and disqualifiied her from holding public office.

The Napolcom said the ruling highlights the responsibility of police officers to properly secure their service firearms to prevent these from falling into the wrong hands.

Minor behind Negros school shooting threat

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, a minor was reportedly behind a threat to shoot people at a school in Victorias City,  according to the Negros Island Region (NIR)  police.

The minor, a student at the Victorias National High School, has been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper intervention.

NIR police director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales said the threat was sent through a post on social media, showing the minor holding what appeared to be a firearm.

Probers said the firearm turned out to be a toy gun.

The minor reportedly wanted to get back at his classmates and schoolmates who bullied him.

School officials and students, however, said the suspect was the one bullying his classmates, Reales said.

He said that before the post appeared on social media, school administrators had recommended the suspension of the minor.

Investigators were able to identify the minor through information provided by his classmates and neighbors.

The boy reportedly borrowed the toy gun from a neighbor. –  Gilbert Bayoran