On Monday, June 22, a shooting at a high school in the Philippines resulted in the deaths of three students and injuries to seven others. The incident happened at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte province, sending students and teachers into panic.
Police said two teenage boys opened fire inside the school at around 9am. The suspects, aged 15 and 14, were armed with pistols and allegedly fired randomly inside the campus. Both were later taken into police custody.
Deadly Attack Inside School
According to investigators, three teenage students died in the shooting. Seven others were wounded and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not yet released detailed information about the condition of the injured students.
Videos shared by local media showed frightened students crying and screaming as gunshots echoed through the school. Many hid inside classrooms while the attack unfolded.
Tacloban police chief Noelito Getigan reported the arrest of one suspect, a Grade 9 student at the school, shortly after the shooting. The second suspect later surrendered to authorities.
Investigation Underway
Police are still trying to determine the exact sequence of events and the motive behind the attack. Investigators said bullying may have played a role, but no conclusion has been reached.
The suspects are being questioned in the presence of their parents because they are minors. Authorities are also examining how the teenagers obtained the firearms used in the attack.
One of the weapons was identified as a 9mm Glock pistol that had been issued to a police officer assigned in the Eastern Visayas region. Police spokesperson Allen Rae Co said authorities have taken the officer into custody and are now investigating her. A security agency in Cebu City registered the second weapon, a .38-caliber pistol.
Government Responds
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting and expressed sadness over the tragedy. Authorities have received instructions from his office to enhance security measures, particularly in schools.
The Philippine Department of Education described the incident as a “high-alert situation.” The department has sent officials, along with local authorities and law enforcement officers, to secure the school and support the ongoing investigation.
While gun-related crimes remain a concern in the Philippines due to the spread of illegal firearms, shootings inside schools are relatively uncommon. Police have advised the public to not give out unverified information and remain calm during the investigation.
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