At least three individuals lost their lives and five others sustained injuries during a rare school shooting that took place Monday morning in the central Philippines. The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. at San Jose National High School, situated in the San Jose district of Tacloban City, Leyte province.
Emergency responders promptly transported the victims to nearby hospitals to receive urgent medical care. Authorities acted swiftly to secure the scene and initiate a manhunt for those responsible.
In a significant development, two suspects, both believed to be students, were apprehended—one was captured at the crime scene itself. Presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro confirmed that the Philippine National Police responded quickly to detain the individuals involved.
Meanwhile, the Tacloban City Police Office has launched an active investigation, though the motive behind the deadly attack remains unclear at this stage.
Although mass shootings within educational institutions are extremely uncommon in the Philippines, gun violence linked to local political disputes and rivalries is more prevalent. Despite strict firearm ownership laws, security experts highlight the widespread availability of illegal weapons through a thriving black market.
This tragic event is the most prominent school shooting since 2022, when three people, including a former city mayor, were fatally shot moments before a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in the capital. That earlier attack was later classified as a targeted assassination rooted in personal conflicts.
