The Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban City has recommended the filing of criminal charges against a female police sergeant whose issued firearm was used by her 14-year old nephew in the first case of mass school shooting in the country on June 22.

DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said the recommendation was based on the preliminary investigation conducted on the complaint filed by parents and students of San Jose National High School in connection with the gun attack.

Three people died during the gun attack and more than 20 others were injured, most of them due to bullet wounds from the 9mm service firearm of the police sergeant.

Martinez said the Office of the City Prosecutor of Tacloban City resolved the filing of the case of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Multiple Homicide and Physical Injuries against Police Staff Sergeant Arla Ray Pacencia on Aug. 20.

He said the case will be filed before the Family Court, Regional Trial Court of Tacloban City.

“The DOJ trusts that the criminal process will proceed in accordance with the rules on due process for all parties concerned,” said

During the gun attack, the 14-year old boy was aided by a 15-year old friend who is also a student of the school. The 15-year old boy was also armed with a revolver but it was reported to have jammed during the first or second shot.

Based on the police investigation, at least 40 spent shells from a 9mm were recovered, indicating that the 14-year old nephew of the police sergeant was the one who fired almost all the shots.

Pacencia, in a hearing, said that her service firearm was kept inside her home but her nephew forced his way in to steal the gun before the shooting.

Authorities said the Tacloban gun attack was the first school shooting in the country. Almost two months later, another gun attack occurred and left two dead inside a school in Zamboanga City.