At least three people were killed and five others injured in a rare school shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, located in the central Philippine province of Leyte, according to police officials.
The incident occurred on Monday morning at around 9:00 am local time (0100 GMT), prompting an immediate emergency response from law enforcement and medical teams. Authorities confirmed that the injured victims were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment and further medical care.
Police said the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. Officials have not yet provided details on what led to the attack, and inquiries are ongoing as investigators gather evidence from the scene.
Regional police authorities issued a statement confirming the casualties and the rapid response of emergency services. Government broadcaster PTV reported that two suspects, reportedly students, were apprehended in connection with the incident. One of them was arrested at the scene shortly after the shooting occurred.
Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro stated that the Philippine National Police acted swiftly and successfully detained the suspects soon after the attack. Authorities are continuing to question the individuals to determine their involvement and possible motives.
Although school shootings are considered rare in the Philippines, the country has experienced incidents of gun violence in the past, often linked to personal disputes or political tensions. In 2022, a separate shooting at Ateneo de Manila University resulted in multiple deaths, which investigators later attributed to personal motives.
The Philippines maintains strict regulations on legal firearm ownership, but officials acknowledge the existence of an illegal arms market, which has contributed to sporadic incidents of gun-related violence.
Authorities have assured the public that security measures around schools will be reviewed following the incident, as investigations continue into how the attack was carried out and whether additional security lapses contributed to the tragedy.