THE Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Tuesday, June 23, that it has relieved and terminated the service of a police officer whose firearm was used in the tragic shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
The attack left three students dead and 20 others wounded, prompting immediate and decisive action from the police leadership to address how a government-issued weapon ended up in the hands of those responsible for the violence.
According to the official statement, further investigation confirmed that the 9mm Glock pistol recovered from one of the suspects, classified as a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL), is registered to a police non‑commissioned officer assigned to a support unit.
The officer has since been placed under restrictive custody while administrative and criminal proceedings are being prepared against her. The termination of her designation means she can no longer perform her duties and will face full accountability for the loss or unauthorized use of her issued firearm.
The PNP emphasized that strict rules govern the custody, use, and safekeeping of service weapons, and any violation of these regulations will not be tolerated. Authorities are now looking into how the registered gun fell into the possession of the suspects, as this raises serious concerns over compliance with standard operating procedures.
The case serves as a reminder of the police force’s commitment to discipline and accountability, ensuring that every member observes the highest standards of responsibility to prevent weapons from being used in illegal and violent activities.
