Three Students Killed, Seven Wounded in Philippines High School Shooting

Two students opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday morning, killing three fellow students and wounding seven others. The suspects, both male students at the government-run school aged 14 and 15, were armed with one pistol each. They entered two classrooms during the attack, regional police chief Brig.

Gen. Jason Capoy said. One suspect was arrested inside the school. The second fled and was later found hiding in a nearby house after residents alerted officers. Both suspects have no prior criminal records.

The suspects told investigators they were bullied and brought the pistols onto campus because only one guard was posted at multiple entrances and exits, Capoy said. “The suspects barged into two rooms because after the shooting in the first, the children scampered and the suspects apparently ran after some victims into another room,” Capoy told reporters.

Most of the dead and wounded were female students.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation and directed law enforcers to increase security at schools, workplaces and public areas. “The president was saddened by this incident. Anybody, especially the parents of the victims, will feel sad and terrified,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

The national police urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the investigation. School shootings remain relatively rare in the Philippines despite the prevalence of firearm-related crimes.