The Philippine National Police is looking into the possible liability of the parents and aunt of the two minors accused in the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday.
Remulla said investigators are examining whether negligence by the adults allowed the 14- and 15-year-old suspects to gain access to the firearms used in the attack at San Jose National High School, where three students were killed and 20 others were injured.
“Ang tinitingnan namin dito ay yung culpability ng tiyahin at ng magulang,” Remulla said in an interview.
Based on the PNP’s initial investigation, the 14-year-old suspect allegedly used a Glock 17 pistol owned by his aunt, a police officer assigned to Police Regional Office 8.
The 15-year-old suspect, meanwhile, was allegedly armed with a .38-caliber revolver registered to a security agency in Cebu.
Remulla stressed that adults who own or keep firearms have the responsibility to secure them and prevent minors or other unauthorized persons from gaining access.
The PNP said the PRO 8 police officer may face a criminal complaint for malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, as well as administrative sanctions for negligence.
The security agency linked to the .38-caliber revolver may also face possible revocation of its license to operate for allegedly failing to report the firearm as lost.
Remulla said the initial findings also pointed to bullying as a possible factor behind the shooting, while investigators are also looking into the alleged influence of a video game on the minors.
“Ang lumalabas sa initial feedback ay bullying gone wrong. Binu-bully daw ‘yung dalawang estudyanteng ‘yun at dahil doon ay na-influence sila sa video games,” he said.