Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783563587283comp.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Courtesy: PNP</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Police intercepted a 16-year-old student carrying a Philippine Army-issued handgun before he could enter a public school in Tupi, South Cotabato.</p><p>The incident happened on Tuesday after an employee of the local government reported seeing the student carrying a handgun along the National Highway in Barangay Poblacion.</p><p>Officers intercepted the student before he reached the school and recovered an Army-issued Glock 17 9mm pistol, along with two magazines loaded with a total of 32 rounds of ammunition.</p><p>Investigation showed that the firearm was the issued service weapon of the student&#x27;s older brother, an active member of the Philippine Army assigned to the 6th Infantry Battalion of the 6th Infantry Division.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/cop-who-owns-gun-used-in-tacloban-school-shooting-faces-senate-probe-1221">Cop says Tacloban school shooter ‘unlawfully’ entered her house, ‘forcibly damaged’ locker to get gun </a></div><p>Authorities said the minor took the handgun without his brother&#x27;s knowledge or consent. </p><p>During questioning, the student told investigators that he brought the firearm for self-defense.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/3/dswd-says-2-minor-offenders-in-tacloban-shooting-remain-secluded-1358">DSWD says alleged Tacloban school shooters remain secluded </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/25/dilg-says-another-potential-school-attack-foiled-1051">DILG says potential school shooting, stabbing foiled in Leyte </a></div><p>The student was referred to the Women and Children Protection Desk before being turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. </p><p>Police are preparing charges against him for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.</p><p>PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the swift response of police personnel helped avert a potentially dangerous incident inside the school.</p><p>&quot;The timely report from a concerned citizen made all the difference. It shows that public vigilance and immediate reporting can help prevent incidents before lives are put at risk,” Nartatez said.</p><p>The PNP said the incident highlights the importance of close coordination among law enforcement, schools, local governments, and the public in ensuring campus safety, particularly in the wake of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/23/deped-calls-tacloban-shooting-cavite-stabbing-isolated-cases-but-orders-security-review-1108">fatal school shooting in Tacloban </a>City on June 22. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/25/deped-audits-school-security-measures-after-tacloban-shooting-1454">DepEd audits school security measures after Tacloban shooting </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/8/deped-to-launch-active-shooting-drills-in-schools-1226">DepEd to launch ‘active shooting drills’ to equip students and teachers with response know-how</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/hontiveros-identifies-alleged-adult-groomer-of-tacloban-school-shooters-1042">Hontiveros identifies alleged &#x27;adult groomer&#x27; of Tacloban school shooters</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JZXzQ31Oqqk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>Police intercepted a 16-year-old student carrying a Philippine Army-issued handgun before he could enter a public school in Tupi, South Cotabato.</p>

Police intercepted a 16-year-old student carrying a Philippine Army-issued handgun before he could enter a public school in Tupi, South Cotabato.

Student found carrying Army-issued handgun in South Cotabato

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Student found carrying Army-issued handgun in South Cotabato

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 09, 2026 09:48 AM PHT

|

Updated July 09, 2026 10:20 AM PHT

Read More:

PNP

police

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school violence

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