At least three people were killed and five others were injured in a rare school shooting in the Philippines on Monday morning, authorities said, prompting a major security response and renewed concerns over gun-related violence in the country.
The shooting occurred at approximately 9 a.m. local time at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, the capital of Leyte province, according to a statement from regional police. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported victims to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
“The victims were immediately brought to the nearest medical facilities for appropriate medical care and intervention,” regional police said in a statement.
Authorities did not immediately release the identities of those killed or injured, and investigators were still working to determine the motive behind the attack.
State-run broadcaster PTV reported that two male suspects, believed to be students, were arrested in connection with the shooting. One of the suspects was apprehended at the scene, while both were reportedly found in possession of handguns.
Presidential Communications Office spokesperson Claire Castro confirmed that the suspects had been taken into custody shortly after the incident.
“The Philippine National Police acted swiftly and arrested the suspects,” Castro told reporters.
Police secured the school grounds and launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Officials have not yet disclosed whether the victims were students, teachers or school personnel.
School shootings remain uncommon in the Philippines compared with many other countries, making Monday’s attack particularly shocking for local residents and the wider public.
However, gun-related violence is not unfamiliar in parts of the country. Targeted shootings linked to political rivalries, personal disputes and local conflicts have periodically occurred, particularly in provincial areas.
In 2022, three people, including a former mayor, were killed in a shooting before a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. Investigators later concluded that the attack was motivated by personal grievances rather than ideological or political factors.
While legal firearm ownership is subject to strict regulations in the Philippines, authorities have long acknowledged the existence of a substantial black market for weapons, which continues to pose challenges for law enforcement agencies.
The latest shooting is expected to intensify discussions about school security and illegal firearms as investigators work to establish the motive behind one of the country’s deadliest school-related attacks in recent years.
Government officials have pledged to provide support for victims and their families while reviewing security measures at educational institutions. Police said additional information would be released as the investigation progresses.
