Ayessa Nicole Dazo and her last package

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The Tacloban school shooting cut short 14-year-old Ayessa's dreams to help her parents

MANILA, Philippines – On a rainy Saturday morning in Tacloban City, a package was delivered to 14-year-old Ayessa Nicole Dazo. 

The black parcel contained a bracelet that she had bought online. A cheerful, “kikay” girl, Ayessa would not have the chance to wear the accessory. 

The package was sent on Saturday, June 27, five days after her untimely death. Still unopened, it was placed on a chair, along with her maroon bag and body towel, right in front of her coffin. 

Ayessa was one of the three victims in the fatal school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City last Monday, June 22.

The 14-year-old was the eldest of three children to parents Ariet, a 38-year-old food chain worker, and Nico, a 35-year-old security guard.

She was affectionate. She made jokes with her siblings. She had dreams; her father knew two: to become a police officer and to buy a big bike.

Why a big bike? Nico thought maybe her daughter was inspired by vloggers riding that kind of motorcycle. But both dreams were ways to help her parents.

“Sabi ko naman sa kaniya: ‘Kahit hindi mo na kami tulungan. Basta ikaw, makapagtapos, kasi ‘yan ang ginagawa namin sa’yo na magpaaral, hindi para sa amin, para sa’yo,” the father told Rappler.

(I told her, “Even if you don’t help us anymore. Just finish your studies, because what we are doing, providing for your education, that’s not for us, that’s for you.”)

Monday morning

Last Monday morning, after the formation, where security personnel assemble for briefings, Nico’s agent asked who among them had children or relatives at San Jose National High School.

He immediately took his phone and messaged her wife. In a call, Ariet told him there was a shooting and that he must check on their daughter. His supervisor approved his immediate leave.

Upon arriving at the school, while a crowd was building up, Nico took a hurried walk to the entrance. A student approached him, asking if he was Ayessa’s father.

Details poured in: She was shot. She was brought to a hospital. The student was unsure of the kind of vehicle that transported Ayessa or the name of the hospital that would be attending to her.

While entry to school grounds was already prohibited, the guard let him in when he said he was the father of one of the victims. He approached teachers in his search for answers.

The third teacher he approached turned out to be Ayessa’s class adviser. According to the teacher, Ayessa was shot in the chest. She was transported to a private pickup whose driver volunteered to bring the girl to the hospital. 

“Kaya hindi niya alam kung anong hospital ang pinuntahan kasi natataranta na rin daw siya (The teacher did not know which hospital Ayessa was taken to because of panic),” Nico said.

Ayessa was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Two students were declared dead on the spot. Fifteen students were wounded in the shooting, while five others sustained injuries not caused by the gunfire.

Two minors, aged 14 and 15, were arrested for the tragedy. The 15-year-old is facing complaints for murder, frustrated murder, and serious physical injuries. The 14-year-old will undergo an intervention program.

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Search for justice

In their search for justice and accountability, Ayessa’s grieving parents also want the 14-year-old tagged in the school shooting to be slapped with a complaint. 

Minors 15 years old or below are exempt from criminal liability but shall be subjected to an intervention program, according to Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

Ayessa will be laid to rest in a private cemetery on Wednesday, July 1. When asked about the family’s plan after the burial, Nico replied: “Wala pa po akong naiisip. Focus muna ako sa anak ko…. Nakaka-miss. Malambing kasi ‘yan.

(I haven’t thought of it yet. I’m still focused on my child. I miss her a lot. She was really an affectionate child.)

“Ang bata pa niya. Ang dami pa niyang pangarap. Tapos ginanito ka nila (She was still young. She still had many dreams, and they did this to her),” Ariet told Rappler in Waray. – with reports from Jazmin Bonifacio/Rappler.com