A 15-year-old Grade 10 student was taken into custody after school personnel recovered a .45-caliber pistol and 43 rounds of ammunition from him inside a school in Tinambac, Camarines Sur, police said Wednesday.
Bicol police spokesperson Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib said the incident came to light after a female student alerted her class adviser that the boy was carrying a firearm on campus.
“Upon verification, they recovered one unit of cal. 45 pistol with 43 live ammunition,” Calubaquib said.
School officials immediately reported the incident to the Tinambac Municipal Police Station and turned the student over to responding officers.
Police reports identified the recovered ammunition as 9mm rounds, which do not match the caliber of the firearm. Authorities have yet to clarify the discrepancy.
The minor was informed of his constitutional rights and referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for proper disposition.
Camarines Sur police director Col. Tyrone Dotimas said the prompt action of the student, teachers and police prevented a potentially dangerous situation.
“The prompt reporting by school personnel and the swift response of the Tinambac Municipal Police Station prevented a potentially dangerous situation,” Dotimas said.
Police secured the firearm and ammunition and coordinated with the student’s family and social welfare authorities to ensure compliance with procedures for children in conflict with the law.
Dotimas said the incident underscored the shared responsibility of parents, schools, local governments and communities in keeping students safe and preventing youth involvement in crime.
The case came less than a month after the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students aged 14 and 15 allegedly opened fire using a 9mm pistol and a .38-caliber revolver, killing three students and injuring 20 others.
Police said bullying was among the possible motives. Authorities were also investigating whether online content, including the violent game GoreBox reportedly used by one suspect, had any influence on the attack.