School shooting leaves 3 dead

CEBU, Philippines — Three students were killed and seven others injured after a shooting inside a public high school in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City on Monday morning, June 22, in what authorities described as one of the most disturbing incidents of school violence in recent years.

Police said the attack occurred at around 9 a.m. inside the campus of San Jose National High School. Personnel from the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) immediately secured the area after receiving reports from witnesses.

Authorities confirmed that two teenage suspects, both students of the school, were taken into custody. One of them, identified as a child in conflict with the law (CICL), was arrested inside the campus shortly after the shooting, while the second suspect was later captured during a follow-up manhunt operation.

Initial police reports showed that 10 individuals were struck by gunfire. Three were declared dead, while seven others were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Authorities had yet to release the identities of the victims as of press time.

Videos circulating on social media showed terrified students screaming and taking cover inside classrooms as successive gunshots rang out. Other footage showed students and teachers rushing out of school buildings, while an injured female student was carried to safety by classmates.

Police Lieutenant Evalyn Diaz said investigators are looking into a possible bullying angle, although the shooting appeared to have been random.

“We are hearing bullying was the motive behind their actions, but we have yet to ask them. We’re still getting the guns, checking where they got those and how they were able to bring that inside the school,” Diaz said.

“We also have yet to establish the sequence of events, they are still in the police station undergoing questioning in the presence of their parents because they are minors,” she added.

Authorities confirmed that one of the firearms used in the attack, a 9mm Glock pistol, was issued to a female police officer assigned to the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas. Investigators are determining how the minor suspect gained access to the service firearm.

The second weapon, a .38-caliber revolver, was verified to be registered to a private security agency based in Cebu City.

Investigators also recovered 40 empty shells from the classroom where the shooting occurred, indicating the intensity of the attack.

Marcos orders probe

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a full investigation into the incident.

“Kinakalungkot ng Pangulo ang pangyayari. Kahit sino pa man lalo na ang mga magulang ng mga nabiktima ay makakaramdam ang lungkot at takot,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) classified the incident as a "high-alert situation" and said it is coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies and school authorities.

“To address the immediate emotional toll of this tragedy, the Department is working hand-in-hand with relevant government agencies to deploy critical medical assistance and appropriate psychosocial interventions for the affected learners and personnel,” the agency said.

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our earnest prayers for the swift recovery of those who were injured. The Central Office is now mobilizing assistance to our affected learners.”

DepEd also urged the public to respect the privacy of the minors involved.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and all those affected by the tragedy.

The agency said it is particularly concerned about the impact of the incident on children, stressing that every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.

“DSWD social workers have provided psychosocial support and psychological first aid to affected individuals to help them cope with trauma, grief, and distress during this difficult period,” the DSWD said in a statement, adding that it is coordinating with the Tacloban City government.

The shooting occurred more than a week after another violent incident inside a private school in Cavite, where a female student randomly stabbed seven classmates.

Following the Tacloban shooting, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said strengthening school security should be a priority.

The mayor ordered tighter security measures in schools across the city, including increased police visibility and stricter monitoring.

“Last Saturday, we held a meeting with all station commanders in our office and I requested that we strengthen security in all schools, both public and private. We already have police deployed to help monitor and discourage individuals with bad intentions,” Archival said in a media interview.

“Rest assured, together with the city police, we will give importance to school security and continue this across the entire city,” he added. (CEBU NEWS)