CAVITE – The police averted an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at a public school in General Mariano Alvarez (GMA), leading to the recovery of a firearm and the turnover of a 15-year-old student to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

In a statement on Tuesday, June 30, the Cavite Police Provincial Office (Cavite PPO) said the personnel of the GMA Municipal Police Station (GMA MPS) acted on information provided by the school personnel of General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School (GMATHS), allowing them to coordinate with the concerned family and barangay officials.

The police report said two school personnel reached out to the police on Saturday, June 27, after hearing from a learner that his fellow Grade 10 student, identified as alias Emman, allegedly had access to a firearm and was planning a mass shooting on July 2.

Upon receiving the report, GMA MPS invited alias Emman and his mother to the police station, with assistance from barangay officials.

During the interview, the student’s mother told the police that her late father, Emman’s grandfather, had a firearm, which had been kept in a closet and had been left unattended for a long time.

The weapon, an improvised, unregistered firearm, was surrendered by Emman’s mother to barangay officials, who handed it to the police.

“In accordance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the minor was turned over to the MSWDO for appropriate intervention,” the Cavite PPO said.

“The case remains under investigation, and the filing of appropriate charges is underway, subject to existing laws.”

In a statement on June 28, the administration of GMATHS said it promptly coordinated with the authorities “in order to do everything to prevent the incident from happening.”

The school encouraged the public to avoid spreading false or unconfirmed information, which might worsen the situation. The management also called on everyone to ensure that the learners' environment “remains a secure, serene, and fostering place for everyone.”