Three people were killed and five others injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the central Philippines on Monday, prompting authorities to launch an investigation and tighten security around the campus.
The shooting took place at around 9:00 a.m. inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, located in Leyte province, according to local police.
Authorities confirmed that two suspects have been taken into custody following the incident.
Two suspects in custody
Tacloban City police chief Noelito Getigan said the suspects allegedly used a .38-calibre firearm and a 9mm gun during the attack.
One of the suspects, a Grade 9 student who is a minor, was arrested shortly after the shooting. The second suspect later surrendered to the authorities.
Police have yet to disclose a possible motive and said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Victims receiving treatment
The injured victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Police said additional security personnel have been deployed to the school to help ensure the safety of students, staff, parents and members of the surrounding community.
Authorities also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to cooperate fully with investigators as inquiries continue.
Rare incident in the Philippines
School shootings remain uncommon in the Philippines and occur only sporadically.
One of the country’s most notable recent shooting incidents took place in July 2022, when a gunman opened fire during a law school graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. The attack killed three people, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay.
Monday’s shooting has once again raised concerns over campus safety as authorities work to establish the facts behind the deadly incident.
