Three killed, 20 injured in Philippines school shooting
TLE Desk: Three students were killed and at least 20 others injured after two teenage students opened fire inside a secondary school in the central Philippines on Monday, police said.
The shooting took place at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where the two suspects, aged 14 and 15, allegedly used handguns to attack fellow students during school hours.
Regional police chief Brigadier General Jason Capoy said both suspects were arrested following the incident. One was detained on the school premises, while the other fled and hid in a nearby house before being located by police with the help of local residents.
Authorities said 15 of the injured suffered gunshot wounds, including one student who remained in hospital after being shot in the head. The remaining injuries occurred as students rushed to escape, with some jumping from windows in panic.
Police recovered at least 40 spent shell casings from the scene.
Investigators said the suspects, who were close friends and had no prior criminal records, claimed during initial questioning that they had been subjected to bullying at school.
According to police, one of the weapons, a 9mm pistol, belonged to an aunt of one of the suspects, who is a police officer and is now under investigation. The second suspect reportedly used a .38-calibre revolver.
Capoy said the teenagers were able to bring the firearms onto the campus because only one security guard was monitoring several entrances and exits.
“The suspects entered two classrooms during the attack. After students fled from the first room, they appeared to chase some victims into another classroom,” he told reporters.
Most of those killed and injured were female students, police added.
Videos shared on social media showed frightened students hiding under desks while gunshots rang out nearby. Other footage showed pupils fleeing the campus in tears and embracing one another outside the school grounds.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered a full investigation into the shooting and directed authorities to strengthen security measures at schools and other public places.
“The president was saddened by this incident. Anybody, especially the parents of the victims, will feel sad and terrified,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
As both suspects are minors, they are expected to be placed in the custody of social welfare authorities following the investigation.
School shootings are relatively rare in the Philippines, although gun-related crimes remain a persistent problem due to the widespread availability of illegal firearms.
