TACLOBAN, Philippines: Three people were killed and five others injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the central Philippines on Monday, authorities said, in a rare incident of gun violence on a school campus.
The attack occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, located in Leyte province, according to the Tacloban City Police Office.
Police said two suspects have been taken into custody following the shooting. One of the suspects, a Grade 9 student who is a minor, was arrested shortly after the incident, while the second suspect later surrendered to authorities.
Tacloban City Police Chief Noelito Getigan said the suspects used a .38-caliber revolver and a 9mm firearm during the attack. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive, and an investigation is ongoing.
Emergency responders transported the injured victims to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police have not released the identities of the victims pending notification of their families.
Security personnel were deployed across the school campus and surrounding areas to ensure the safety of students, teachers, parents, and local residents as authorities secured the scene and gathered evidence.
Police urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to cooperate with investigators as inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continue.
School shootings remain relatively uncommon in the Philippines compared to many other countries. However, the incident has renewed concerns about firearm access and campus security.
The deadliest recent school-related shooting in the country occurred in July 2022, when a gunman opened fire during a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, killing three people, including former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay.
Authorities said further details would be released as the investigation progresses.