THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted a police officer whose issued firearms was used by her 14-year-old nephew during a shooting rampage inside the San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City which killed three students and injured several others.
DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed that the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office recommended the filing of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries against Police Ssgt. Arla Ray Paciencia.
The case will be filed with the Family Court at the Regional Trial Court in Tacloban City.
Martinez said the city prosecutor made the recommendation following the conduct of a preliminary investigation on the complaint filed by parents and students of SJNHS, in connection with the shooting incident involving a child in conflict with the law.
‘The DOJ trusts that the criminal process will proceed in accordance with the rules on due process for all parties concerned,’ Martinez stressed.
A child in conflict with the law refers to a person below 18 years who is alleged as having violated the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
It may be recalled that on June 22, Pacencia’s nephew together with another minor, a 15-year-old student, were arrested by authorities after they opened fire inside the school, killing three students.
Pacencia later told the Senate during its investigation that her nephew managed to get her gun by breaking into her house and forcibly opening her locker.