Grade 7 student shot dead in Laguna school by Security Guard

A Grade 7 student was killed in a school in Calamba City, Laguna, Thursday by a man against whom he had filed sexual abuse complaints.

The 15-year-old was shot in the room in Castor Alviar National High School in Barangay Masili by a certain Renan Valderama, according to PLTC Jacinto Malinao Jr., Calamba City Police Chief.

Police reports said Valderama, a security guard, shot the teen victim twice. The victim was rushed to the Health Serve Hospital, where he died later in the day.

Malinao said the Grade 7 student had previously filed four counts of sexual abuse against Valderama, who is believed to be 30 to 35 years old.

"We'll check if this is one of the motives bakit nagawa ng suspek na si Valderama na patayin itong minor victim," he said.

[Translation: We'll check if this is one of the motives why the suspect killed the victim who is a minor.]

The Calamba top cop said Valderama was supposedly taking care of the 15-year-old, after his mother was detained at the local Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facilities for possession of illegal drugs.

"Itong batang ito, ay inalagaan nitong suspek, parang sinusuportahan [This kid was under the suspect's care, like he was providing support]," Malinao said.

Valderama is still at large and is still believed to be wielding the caliber .38 pistol he used, according to the police chief.

Malinao added Calamba City Mayor Timmy Chipeco had already ordered the city police to conduct security surveys in the surrounding schools.

"This is the first time at nakakalungkot nga na masabi man nating isolated case 'to, but hindi natin pwedeng ipagwalang-bahala na kailangan talagang rebyuhin at i-improve kung ano ang dapat i-improve para ma-ensure natin 'yung safety ng ating mga estudyante," he said.

[Translation: This is the first time and it's sad, because even if this is just an isolated case, we cannot disregard the fact that we need to review and improve whatever needs to be improved to ensure the safety of students.] CNN Philippines' Correspondent Paolo Barcelon contributed to this report.

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This article first appeared on CNN Philippines.