At least three people were killed and five others injured on Monday after gunfire erupted inside a secondary school in the central Philippines, triggering panic among students and staff and prompting a major police response.
The shooting occurred at approximately 9 a.m. local time at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, the capital of Leyte Province.
Regional police confirmed the casualties, saying emergency responders rushed victims to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.
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“The victims were immediately transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment and appropriate medical intervention,” police said.
Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack, but investigators have launched a full-scale probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Government broadcaster PTV reported that two suspects, both believed to be students, were arrested following the attack. One of the suspects was reportedly apprehended at the scene.
Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro confirmed the arrests and commended law enforcement officers for their swift response.
“The Philippine National Police has already caught the suspects. They acted quickly,” she said.
The identities of the victims have not been officially released, and authorities have yet to clarify whether those killed were students, school staff or visitors.
Images circulating on local media platforms showed heightened security around the school as worried parents gathered outside seeking information about their children.
School shootings remain extremely rare in the Philippines. However, gun-related violence continues to occur in some parts of the country, often linked to personal disputes, criminal activity and local political tensions.
The attack has renewed discussions about school security and access to firearms despite strict gun ownership regulations in the country.
The incident also revived memories of the 2022 shooting at Ateneo de Manila University, where three people were killed before a graduation ceremony in what authorities later described as a targeted attack driven by personal motives.
Education and security officials are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue and authorities work to determine the motive behind Monday’s tragedy.
