Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it relieved a police officer whose service firearm was used in the Tacloban San Jose National High School (SJNHS) shooting that killed three students and injured 20 others.
“Further investigation revealed that the 9mm Glock pistol recovered from one of the CICL (children in conflict with the law) is registered to a Police Non-Commissioned Officer assigned to a support unit. She has now been placed under restrictive custody and her designation has been terminated,” the PNP said in a statement.
Authorities said that the two suspects, both students of SJNHS, were under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Officials raised security concerns after they learned that the suspects smuggled guns into the school.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara told reporters on Tuesday, June 23, that the two may have bypassed security by jumping over a fence to enter the school premises.
The Tacloban city government has also tightened security measures following the shooting with more police presence in Barangay San Jose and other public places.
The local government also imposed a curfew for minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
