PNP vows stricter firearm security after cop’s dismissal over Tacloban school shooting
Police investigators walk in front of the school entrance after a shooting incident at a high school compound in Tacloban City, Leyte province on June 22, 2026. At least three teenaged students were killed and five others wounded in the incident. Noel Sianosa, AFP MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered stricter inspections of service firearms following the dismissal of a police officer whose government-issued pistol was used in a deadly school shooting in Tacloban City in June.
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the organization would respect and implement the National Police Commission’s (Napolcom) decision to dismiss PSSg. Arla Ray Paciencia for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Paciencia’s 9mm service pistol was used by her nephew in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and several others injured.
Napolcom found that Paciencia failed to properly secure her issued firearm, leaving it at home instead of storing it in a safety vault as required under PNP regulations.
“As the father of this organization, I am saddened by how this incident ended. However, this decision underscores that every police officer is personally accountable for the proper safeguarding of issued firearms,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“Negligence that endangers lives has no place in the PNP and will be met with the full force of administrative sanctions,” he added.
Following the incident, Nartatez directed unit commanders nationwide to conduct regular inspections and document compliance with rules on firearm storage, handling and accountability.
He tasked supervisors with ensuring that police personnel strictly follow existing regulations on the safekeeping of their issued weapons.
“The tragedy reminds us that our responsibility to protect the public does not end when we leave our posts; it extends to how we secure the firearms entrusted to us,” Nartatez said.
“We must strengthen inspections, enforce strict compliance with safekeeping rules, and hold personnel accountable to ensure that no service firearm falls into the wrong hands because of negligence,” he added.