Culture & Entertainment · Philippines Bureau
Police officer dismissed over firearm used in Tacloban school shooting
The National Police Commission has ordered the dismissal of a police staff sergeant who failed to secure her service weapon, which was used by her teenage nephew in a June attack at a Tacloban high school.
LSN Philippines ·
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Wednesday ordered the dismissal from service of a police officer who negligently failed to secure her service firearm that was subsequently used in an attack at San Jose National High School here in June.
The dismissed officer, identified as Police Staff Sergeant, did not properly store her weapon despite security protocols requiring officers to keep firearms locked and inaccessible when off-duty. Her 14-year-old nephew gained access to the gun and used it during the school attack, which occurred at the educational institution in this Eastern Visayas city.
Napolcom's decision follows an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the June incident. The commission found that the officer's failure to adhere to firearm security procedures constituted gross negligence and created a serious public safety hazard.
The case underscores persistent concerns about gun security practices among law enforcement personnel in the country. Police officials have stressed the importance of strict adherence to weapons handling and storage protocols to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of service firearms.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of weapons security measures among members of the Philippine National Police.