Gun recovered from student in Catarman school

MANILA — A pistol was confiscated from an underage student  inside a school in Catarman, Northern Samar this week, police said Friday. 

Another child had alerted a teacher that the minor was allegedly carrying a  firearm in their classroom in Barangay Dalakit on Thursday, the Eastern Visayas police said.

The teacher reported the matter to the school administration, which then notified the Catarman Municipal Police Station. 

Police recovered from the minor a .45-caliber pistol with no serial number, four magazines, and 10 rounds of ammunition.

The minor reportedly told authorities that the firearm belonged to his father.

Personnel of the Women and Children Protection Desk assisted the minor, who was later referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for assessment and appropriate intervention in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.

Following the incident, police met with school officials to discuss measures to strengthen campus security.    

“Ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral ay isang responsibilidad na dapat nating pagtulungan. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang pakikipagtulungan ng PRO 8 sa mga paaralan at iba pang katuwang upang mapanatili ang ligtas na learning environment sa buong Eastern Visayas,” Police Regional Office 8 chief PBGen Romano Cardiño said.

Police also reminded parents and guardians to properly secure firearms and keep them away from children and other unauthorized persons.