Angara seeks accountability over firearms used in Tacloban shooting

TACLOBAN CITY — Education Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Tuesday called for accountability from those responsible for providing the firearms used in the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School, as he visited the campus a day after the attack that left three students dead and 20 others wounded.

The shooting, which occurred at around 9:20 a.m. on Monday, is considered one of the deadliest school violence incidents in Eastern Visayas and possibly in the country. Authorities identified the suspects as two minors, both students of the school.

Investigators earlier disclosed that one of the firearms used was owned by the aunt of a suspect, a police officer assigned to the Police Regional Office-8, while the other weapon was traced to a security agency based in Cebu.

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

Following a meeting with local education officials, teachers, and city leaders, Angara stressed that those who allowed the firearms to fall into the hands of minors must be held responsible.

“For me, those from whom the firearms came should be held accountable. It is not normal for children to have guns. Not every household has firearms. The question is, how did these children get hold of them?” Angara told reporters.

The education chief also defended the teachers of San Jose National High School, saying they should not be blamed for the tragedy.

“If not for the teachers, perhaps even more people would have died here,” he said.

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Teachers were credited for acting quickly during the attack. Some reportedly instructed students to take cover and immediately locked classroom doors as the two suspects, who were in Grades 9 and 10, went on a shooting rampage inside the school.

READ: Teachers, students help stop suspect in Tacloban school shooting

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The campus has more than 1,600 students and over 110 teachers.

Angara said he planned to visit both the injured students and the families of those killed in the attack.

He also expressed support for more police visibility in schools to help deter similar incidents.

“The teachers told me that when students see police officers patrolling, those who may be planning trouble often back off and abandon their plans,” he said.

Beyond security concerns, Angara said the tragedy highlighted deeper social issues affecting young people.

“This is not just a peace and order problem. We also need to help our children. They are exposed to a lot of violence online, and many of them grow up without the presence of their parents,” he said.

He noted that one of the suspects has a father working outside the province.

The education secretary urged teachers and school administrators to take a more active role in monitoring their students’ well-being.

“My message to teachers and principals is that we must also act as parents in school. We should regularly check on our students and find out if they are facing problems or difficulties,” Angara said.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez echoed the call, urging parents to be more involved in their children’s lives.

“Give them the support they need. Pay attention to them so they will not seek it elsewhere. Parents should be responsible for their children,” Romualdez said.

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Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, while criminal and administrative proceedings are being prepared against those who may have been negligent in securing the firearms used in the incident./coa