Minor broke into aunt's home to obtain gun used in Tacloban school shooting

A 14-year-old minor, identified by the alias Nash, entered the locked house of his aunt, a non-commissioned police officer, and forced open a plastic locker to obtain the 9mm Glock pistol used in the July 1, 2026 school shooting in Tacloban City. The aunt, Police Staff Sergeant Arla Ray Paciencia, told a Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality that she kept the firearm in a gun box inside the locker.

She said she was the only person with a key to the house and believed the storage method was secure. Paciencia has been relieved from duty and faces summary dismissal proceedings by the Philippine National Police. The minor and a second 15-year-old suspect, identified by the alias Rod, are in custody at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth in Tanauan, Leyte.

Background on the incident The shooting at San Jose National High School killed three students and injured 20 others. Police said the two minors appeared to have planned the attack and were heavily influenced by violent online content, including the video game Gorebox.

Paciencia told the committee she had taken her nephew to a firing range once. She described him as an introvert who spent long periods on his phone and lived with his parents, who are members of the 4Ps program. The 14-year-old is exempt from criminal liability due to his age but will undergo an intervention program.

Authorities continue to investigate possible links to online extremism.