Baguio School Probes Firearm Discovery Amid National Shooting Concerns

In a country shaken by a series of deadly school shootings, the discovery of a caliber revolver in the hands of a 13-year-old student at a Baguio school has raised a question that authorities are now trying to answer: How did a firearm get into a classroom environment in the first place? The revolver was unserviceable and had no ammunition, but its discovery at the Lucban Integrated School on Wednesday, September 16, set off an investigation involving police and education officials, who are now tracing the gun’s ownership and reconstructing how the 8th grader got a hold of it. The revolver was seized from the student, officials said during a press conference at the school in Barangay Camdas on Friday, September 18, two days after the incident. It was the same day a gun attack in a public school in faraway Banga, South Cotabato, killed two schoolgirls and the shooter, and hurt at least six others. Must Read At least 3 dead, 6 wounded in South Cotabato school shooting Baguio police director Colonel Nixon Laoyan confirmed that police have custody of the revolver now. Major Joshua Mateo, commander of BCPO Police Station 2, said investigators are looking into the firearm’s ownership and getting more details, as well as the circumstances surrounding how it reached the learner. Laoyan said the firearm has not been traced to a police officer or other uniformed personnel. Mateo said police are also determining whether the findings warrant the filing of a case against anyone. No specific charge or respondent has been announced. School head Felto Agpawa said he learned about the incident at around 12:40 pm on September 16 after receiving information through a parent’s text message. The school then began verifying what happened, spoke with students and coordinated with the police. Authorities did not say exactly what the armed student did with the gun, but Agpawa said affected learners had to be given psychological first aid when they returned to school the following day. The Grade 8 learner involved was sent to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for case management and has not yet returned to school. Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) is conducting a separate inquiry under its child-protection procedures. Schools Division Superintendent Soraya Faculo said the safety and welfare of learners remain DepEd’s primary concern. Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has also been informed of the incident and is coordinating with Faculo and the BCPO. Lucban Integrated School serves 2,399 learners from kindergarten to Grade 8. Classes have continued. The incident has also prompted a review of school safety and reporting procedures. Education Program Supervisor and Division Public Assistance Coordinator Jerry Ymson said the Schools Division Office is working with the local government, police and child-protection partners to improve coordination and reporting mechanisms. The school has a single entrance and exit point, one female security guard on duty and a handheld metal detector used at the gate. Police and school officials are reviewing how existing security measures are being implemented. Police said their initial assessment had not established a security lapse. Officials urged the public to avoid speculation about the minors involved and refrain from circulating unverified claims while police and DepEd complete their investigations. – Rappler.com