Three students are dead and several others injured after two teenagers opened fire at a high school in the central Philippines, police confirmed. The incident occurred at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city, where suspects aged 14 and 15 allegedly acted out of a grudge stemming from bullying.
Suspects Apprehended, Weapons Recovered
One suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting, while the second later surrendered to authorities. Police recovered a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol from the scene. The 9mm pistol reportedly belongs to a policewoman who is a relative of one of the suspects; she is now in custody.
National police spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co told reporters, “The two [suspects] went straight to the classroom. Without saying anything, they started firing.” He added that “red flags” in the teens’ behavior had been missed, and with them the opportunity to prevent the crime.
Motive: Bullying Grudge
Investigators believe the attack was motivated by a grudge over bullying. “Initially, it appears that the motive of the crime is grudge for school bullying,” Co said. He noted that it remains unclear whether the intended targets were in that specific classroom.
Gun violence is not uncommon in the Philippines, but school shootings are extremely rare. The incident has sparked discussions about school safety and mental health support for students.
Community in Shock
The Tacloban community is reeling from the tragedy. Local officials have called for a thorough investigation and support for the victims’ families. The school has been closed temporarily as authorities continue their probe.
