BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Police and education officials are investigating how a 13-year-old Grade 8 student obtained a .38-caliber revolver that was brought to a school in Baguio City, in an incident that has triggered renewed scrutiny of campus safety and reporting procedures.
The firearm, which authorities said was unserviceable and contained no ammunition, was discovered after information reached school administrators on Wednesday, September 16. Police subsequently took custody of the weapon as investigators began tracing its ownership and determining how it came into the student’s possession.
Reports initially described the incident as an alleged gun threat involving a student who supposedly pointed the firearm at a classmate. Authorities, however, have not publicly established the complete circumstances surrounding the alleged pointing of the weapon, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police trace source of firearm
Baguio City Police Office Director Col. Nixon Laoyan confirmed that investigators are now holding the firearm.
Maj. Joshua Mateo said police are working to determine who owns the revolver, how the minor obtained it, and whether another person could face criminal liability in connection with the incident.
Initial police checks also indicated that the firearm did not belong to an active member of the police or military, according to the Daily Tribune.
Authorities also said their preliminary assessment did not identify an immediate security breach at the school’s entrance.
That leaves investigators with a critical question: How did the firearm reach the student in the first place?
DepEd launches separate investigation
The Department of Education is conducting its own investigation under existing child-protection procedures.
Schools Division Superintendent Soraya Faculo said the welfare of the students involved remains a priority while officials establish the facts and determine whether administrative action or other interventions are necessary.
The student was referred to social welfare authorities for appropriate case management, while students affected by the incident were provided psychological first aid.
Authorities have also urged the public to avoid circulating unverified information and to respect the privacy of the minors involved.
Baguio schools already strengthening security
The incident comes as Baguio authorities have been stepping up school-security measures.
The Baguio City Police Office recently launched Oplan KALASAG, a program designed to strengthen preparedness, rapid response, law-enforcement coordination and recovery measures in cases involving armed incidents in schools.
Police visibility has also been increased during key school hours, including student arrival, lunch break and dismissal. The BCPO has urged students, parents and school communities to immediately report suspicious activities and other incidents.
Earlier in the year, DepEd-Baguio also reported that schools were strengthening security through measures such as random bag inspections, controlled entry points, identification requirements and efforts to acquire handheld metal detectors.
The division has likewise been developing simulations and action plans for security-related emergencies, including potential active-threat scenarios.
Emergency response under review
The latest incident has prompted officials to examine not only physical security but also how quickly information about threats reaches school authorities.
According to the Daily Tribune, information about the firearm initially reached administrators through a parent rather than through an immediate report from inside the school. Officials are consequently discussing ways to strengthen reporting channels and coordination with Baguio’s Unified 911 system.
The development comes only weeks after Baguio police and other agencies conducted a safety drill at Baguio City National High School focused on responding to aggressive behavior and potential violent incidents.
The August exercise involved police, disaster-response personnel, DepEd officials, health and social-welfare representatives and other stakeholders, with the goal of improving coordination during emergencies.
For now, authorities have not released a final explanation of how the 13-year-old obtained the revolver or identified its owner.
The police and DepEd investigations remain ongoing, with officials expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the firearm, possible accountability, and whether additional school-security measures are needed.
