A .357 revolver was found inside the school bag of a 14-year-old student at Lut-od National High School during a surprise inspection by a teacher Thursday afternoon, August 20.
The teacher discovered the unloaded .357 Smith & Wesson Magnum revolver at around 3:50 p.m., prompting school officials to immediately notify the police.
Personnel of the Pinamungajan police responded to the school, secured the firearm and documented it for proper disposition.
Cebu Police Provincial Office Director Police Colonel Abubakar Mangelen Jr. said the initial investigation showed that the firearm allegedly belonged to the student’s grandfather and had been kept inside a cabinet at their residence.
The student reportedly took the revolver from the cabinet and brought it to school.
“Without ammunition. The firearm was subsequently secured for proper documentation and disposition,” Mangelen said.
Police learned that the student’s parents were working outside Pinamungajan and that the minor was staying with the grandparents.
Authorities turned the student over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office while waiting for the arrival of the parents or guardian.
As of Friday, August 21, the incident remained under investigation, with police coordinating with the MSWD and the student’s family for appropriate intervention.
Mangelen commended the school personnel for immediately reporting the firearm and seeking police assistance.
“We commend the school personnel for immediately reporting the discovery and seeking police assistance. Their prompt action helped ensure that the situation was contained before it could potentially lead to harm,” he said.
The incident came as schools across Cebu heightened security following recent attacks at schools in other parts of the country.
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro had earlier ordered the CPPO director and chiefs of police to strengthen security in public and private schools through increased police visibility, regular security inspections and closer coordination with school authorities.
Mangelen subsequently ordered the deployment of police officers to schools under a one-police-to-school scheme in coordination with local governments and school administrators.
Police also reminded firearm owners to properly secure their weapons and keep them inaccessible to children, particularly in households where minors live.
Photo courtesy of CPPO
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