Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is determining how the suspects in the Tacloban school crime obtained weapons in the shooting spree.
PNP Public Information Office chief Allen Rae Co said in a Tuesday, June 23, press briefing that a policewoman – the aunt of one of the suspects – is facing a pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings.
Her service weapon, a 9mm Glock pistol, was used in the shooting.
“Pamangkin po ng isang policewoman yung isa so at an early age he was taught, supposedly, ito po ay para maturuan siya ng responsible gun ownership,” Co revealed.
[Translation: He is the nephew of the policewoman so at an early age he was taught responsible gun ownership.]
Meanwhile, Co said the other weapon, a Cal.38 Armscor revolver, was registered to a Cebu City security agency. Investigators are determining how the suspect got hold of the firearm.
The police counted 34 shells from the crime scene.
Officials raised security concerns after they learned that the suspects smuggled guns into the school. The police said one of the suspects even attended the school flag ceremony before the crime happened.
Asked about reports that the two suspects had planned the shooting for over a month, Co said that investigators were verifying the reports but pointed out a possible earlier plan to commit the crime.
“Hindi po heat of the moment ‘to, hindi po yung papasok sila ay nagpaputok na. Nag-usap sila sa CR more than an hour bago po nila ginawa itong krimen na ito,” Co said.
[Translation: This was not done in the heat of the moment, they didn’t just go to school and start shooting. They spoke in the comfort room for more than an hour before committing the crime.]
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.
Both suspects, students of SJNHS, are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
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.
