Napolcom dismisses cop whose gun was used in Tacloban school shooting

MANILA — The National Police Commission has dismissed a police officer whose government-issued firearm was used in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and several others injured.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 14, Napolcom said its en banc ordered the dismissal of Police Staff Sergeant Arla Ray Paciencia of the Regional Finance Service Unit of the Eastern Visayas Police, for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

The commission found that Paciencia, who was on duty on the day of the incident, deliberately left her service-issue 9mm pistol at home.

The gun was kept in a plastic gun box inside a plastic cabinet instead of a safety vault required under Philippine National Police firearm safekeeping rules.

Napolcom said Paciencia’s gross negligence in securing the gun set in motion the chain of events that led to the deadly shooting, which was allegedly carried out by her 14-year-old nephew.

Her dismissal carries the forfeiture of benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Napolcom reiterated that the proper handling and safekeeping of issued firearms are non-negotiable duties of every police officer.