Cop placed in custody after gun linked to Tacloban school shooting

Overturned chairs and scattered classroom furniture are seen inside San Jose National High School after the incident, as investigators and emergency responders secured the campus and cordoned off affected areas. ROEL T. AMAZONA/CONTRIBUTOR

TACLOBAN CITY — A police officer has been placed under restrictive custody after authorities confirmed that one of the firearms used in the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City was linked to her family, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said on Monday, June 22.

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PRO-8 spokesperson Lt. Col. Analiza Armeza said the police officer, identified as an aunt of one of the two minor suspects, is now under investigation following reports that a firearm linked to her was allegedly used in the shooting that left three people dead and 13 others wounded inside the school campus.

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“She was placed under restrictive custody and is now under investigation,” Armeza said in an online interview.

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The police official declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

The shooting, which occurred at 9:20 a.m. inside San Jose National High School, involved two minors identified by authorities as suspects. The two minors are now under police custody while investigators continue to establish the motive behind the attack, though bullying was cited by one of the suspects as the reason.

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Armeza said authorities have already traced and identified the firearms used in the incident. One firearm was linked to the police officer’s family, while the other was traced to a security agency.

“We have already identified the firearm used; however, we cannot disclose further details as the investigation is still ongoing,” she said.

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READ: Wounded students in deadly Tacloban school shooting climb to 13

She assured the families of the victims and the public that PRO-8 is conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.

“The PRO-8 condoles with the families of the victims. Rest assured that we are conducting an impartial investigation to ensure that justice will be served to the victims,” Armeza said.

The shooting has shocked the school community and raised concerns over how the minors gained access to firearms. Authorities are now looking into possible lapses in firearm safekeeping and whether criminal liabilities may arise against individuals responsible for the weapons.

Investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the attack as they continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Meanwhile, police and education officials are coordinating efforts to provide assistance and counseling to affected students, teachers, and families.

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The incident is considered one of the deadliest school-related shootings in Eastern Visayas in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stricter firearm security measures and enhanced school safety protocols. /mcm