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A rare school shooting at a public high school in the central Philippines has left at least three students dead and several others injured, with two teenage suspects now in police custody. The incident occurred on the morning of June 22 at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, on the island of Leyte, about 580 kilometres south-east of the capital Manila, according to police and multiple news reports.

Police said the shooting took place at around 9am local time. The Tacloban City Police Office confirmed that three people were killed and five others injured, as reported by ABC Australia. Al Jazeera and The Hindu reported similar figures of three dead and five wounded, while BBC News, citing police, said three students were killed and more injured. Dawn reported a higher toll, saying at least 20 people were injured. A separate South China Morning Post report also cited seven injured, though police and other outlets consistently confirmed three deaths.

Two suspects, both Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15, were arrested. One was apprehended shortly after the shooting, and the other later surrendered to authorities, according to police statements reported by Al Jazeera and The Hindu. The suspects used a .38-calibre revolver and a 9mm pistol, police told reporters, as reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn. The 9mm pistol was later traced to a policewoman who is a relative of one of the suspects, according to BBC News.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the incident varied in detail and emphasis across outlets. ABC Australia and Al Jazeera provided initial brief reports, focusing on the basic facts and police statements. BBC News delved into the investigation, quoting national police spokesman Colonel Allen Rae Co, who said the suspects appeared to have been motivated by a "grudge" over school bullying. Dawn highlighted the country's strict gun laws and the rarity of school shootings, quoting officials on the need for improved safety measures. South China Morning Post framed the event within the broader context of gun proliferation in the Philippines, citing experts and officials, while also reporting on the suspects' weapons and their link to a police officer and a security agency.

The casualty figures show some discrepancy. While most outlets reported five injured, Dawn reported 20 injured, and a later South China Morning Post article mentioned seven injured. BBC News provided a detailed breakdown: three people died, three were injured by gunshots, and four were wounded in the panic to escape. These variations suggest evolving information as the investigation progressed.

The weapon details were consistent across reports: a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol. South China Morning Post reported that the revolver was traced to a security agency in Cebu City, while the pistol belonged to a police officer who was an aunt of one suspect. The exact number of cartridges recovered also varied: BBC News reported about 40 empty shells, while South China Morning Post cited a police inventory listing 21 fired cartridge cases and other items.

Key Claims

  • At least three students were killed in the shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22.
  • The number of injured varied across reports: five (ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, The Hindu), seven (South China Morning Post), or 20 (Dawn).
  • Two suspects, aged 14 and 15, were arrested; one was a Grade 9 student at the school.
  • The suspects used a .38-calibre revolver and a 9mm pistol.
  • The 9mm pistol belonged to a policewoman who is a relative of one suspect, according to BBC News.
  • Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered an investigation into the shooting.
  • Investigators believe the motive was a grudge over school bullying, as stated by police spokesman Colonel Allen Rae Co.
  • School shootings are considered rare in the Philippines, which has relatively strict gun ownership regulations, though illegal firearms remain in circulation.
  • Officials acknowledged that the school was not prepared for such an incident, and plans are being made to expand safety protocols beyond natural disasters.

Perspectives

Philippine National Police: Police spokesman Colonel Allen Rae Co told reporters that the suspects "went straight to the classroom" and started firing without saying anything. He said the initial motive appears to be "grudge for school bullying," and noted that "red flags" in the teens' behaviour had been missed, which could have prevented the crime.

Philippine Government: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered a thorough investigation and directed authorities to ensure safety in schools, according to his office. A presidential spokesperson said the police had acted quickly to catch the suspects.

Civil Defence and School Officials: Senior civil defence official Rafaelito Alejandro said the shooting would change how schools prepare for safety, moving beyond natural disasters to include human-induced incidents. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Evalyn Diaz said the school, with nearly 2,000 students, was not prepared for such a situation, and that panicked students ran instead of taking cover.