Criminal raps filed vs school shooter, 15

MANILA, Philippines, June 25 ------ Authorities filed criminal complaints against the 15-year-old student involved in the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.

Tacloban police filed the complaints before the City Prosecutor’s Office against the teen in connection with the June 22 shooting that left three students dead and 20 others injured. “Earlier at 2 a.m. today, we already filed the criminal complaint against the CICL (child in conflict with the law), who is above 15 years old,” Tacloban police director Col. Noelito Getigan told The STAR.

The suspect and his 14-year-old cohort were turned over to the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth for proper custody following the attack. The 15-year-old is facing charges for three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder and multiple counts of serious physical injuries.

Authorities are still determining the liability of the 14-year-old suspect, who reportedly fired the majority of shots – over 30 rounds – from a 9mm pistol during the attack. Being below age 15, he will face “intervention” at a Bahay Pag-asa facility for juveniles.

Asked about the motive, Getigan said bullying remains one of the angles being investigated, although the case is now with prosecutors for evaluation. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also supported this angle, saying initial findings point to bullying as a factor behind the attack. “Initial feedback indicates this was a case of bullying gone wrong. The two students were allegedly being bullied, and because of that they were influenced by video games,” he said.

Investigators said one of the suspects was heavily engaged in Gorebox, a violent online game. The shooting also placed attention on how the firearms were obtained. Police said the Glock 9mm pistol used in the attack allegedly belonged to the aunt of one of the suspects, a police officer who has since been relieved from her post and placed under restrictive custody pending administrative and criminal investigations.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the .38-caliber handgun used by the other suspect bears the same serial number as another firearm in Bohol. “It is now being investigated so we can determine why there are two firearms with the same serial number,” Nartatez said.

Source: philstar.com