On June 22 in Tacloban City two students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire inside San Jose National High School, killing three fellow learners and 11 injured, authorities confirmed.
The attack unfolded around 9 a.m. while classes were ongoing. Hundreds of students scrambled for safety as gunshots echoed through classrooms.
Police said that the suspects are both minors, and are schoolmates of the victims. They carried separate firearms and moved between rooms during the shooting.
Furthermore, police revealed that one of the used firearms may have come from a relative who is a police officer, raising concerns over gun access and storage.
Responding officers secured the campus and rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals. Three students were pronounced dead, while several students sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.
Initial investigation points to a possible motive rooted in bullying, with the suspects allegedly claiming that they had been targeted prior to the incident. Authorities are still verifying the claims as part of a broader probe.
Both suspects are now in custody: one was apprehended on campus and the other was captured after fleeing to a nearby area with the help of residents. Due to their age, they will be processed under juvenile justice and child protection laws.
Education officials, meanwhile, are coordinating with local authorities to provide medical aid and psychosocial support to affected students, families, and school personnel as the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence.
