A .38 caliber revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition was recovered from a Grade 10 student inside a public high school in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, prompting an investigation into how the minor obtained the firearm and why he brought it to school.
The firearm was discovered on Tuesday, June 30, after a teacher received information that the 15-year-old student might be carrying a gun.
The student was escorted to the guidance counselor’s office, which immediately notified the Barotac Nuevo Municipal Police Station, headed by Police Capt. Francis John Layog.
Police Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, spokesperson of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), said responding officers recovered the loaded .38 caliber revolver from the student’s bag.
Authorities are now coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to determine the firearm’s owner, how the student obtained it, and his reason for bringing it to school.
As the student is a minor, he was turned over to the Barotac Nuevo Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office while the investigation continues.
Following the incident, school authorities implemented stricter checkpoint inspections on Wednesday, July 1, as part of enhanced campus security measures.
The DepEd Schools Division of Iloilo said the situation was immediately contained and emphasized that the student cooperated throughout the incident.
“No threats were made, no injuries were reported, and no member of the school community was harmed. The learner remained cooperative throughout the process,” it said in a statement issued Wednesday.
The division added that the school is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and evaluating its existing safety and security measures to identify areas that need strengthening.
Police Regional Office 6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño commended the prompt coordination between school officials and law enforcers.
“This incident shows that the good coordination between our schools and the police is effective. If there is a situation that could affect the security of our youth, it is very important to report it to the authorities in order to avoid possible danger,” Tuaño said.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.