DepEd sacks father of South Cotabato school shooter over gun used in attack

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The father of the South Cotabato school shooter has been relieved of his Department of Education (DepEd) post after his son used his firearm in the fatal incident.

In a "24 Oras" report by Bea Pinlac on Tuesday, the development was disclosed during a House deliberation on DepEd’s budget by its sponsor, Representative Maria Carmen Zamora.

“The parent has already been relieved from his post as DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) of the department and pending investigation,” Zamora said.

Authorities found that the Grade 9 student shooter at Banga National High School obtained his firearm from his father. The shooting resulted in the deaths of three students.

This tragic event in South Cotabato marks the third school shooting incident recorded in the country this year.

During the budget deliberation, DepEd was questioned on whether it maintains an internal policy governing responsible gun ownership among its officials and employees.

Zamora said the Education Department doesn’t have an internal policy on the matter, but urges its personnel to adhere to existing laws on the proper handling of firearms.

“Wala hong internal policy ang department. But the department subjects it to the discretion of every employee, every personnel of DepEd to adhere with the existing laws on proper handling of firearms,” Zamora answered.

(The department has no internal policy. But the department leaves it to the discretion of every employee and personnel of DepEd to adhere to existing laws on the proper handling of firearms.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LDF, GMA News