Three students were killed and seven others wounded on Monday morning, June 22, 2026, after two teenage gunmen opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, in what authorities are describing as one of the deadliest school-related shootings recorded in the city in recent years.
The attack occurred at approximately 9 a.m. while classes were ongoing, according to the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO). Eight people were struck by gunfire in total — three died from their wounds, and seven others sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Both suspects, identified as a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, are now in police custody. Authorities have withheld the names of both the victims and the suspects, citing the need to notify families and legal protections afforded to minors under Philippine law.
Both Teen Suspects Arrested — One at Scene, One in Neighboring Barangay
The first suspect, a resident of Barangay San Jose and classified as a child in conflict with the law, was apprehended at the school premises moments after the shooting. The second suspect fled the area but was captured a short distance away in Barangay 87, after residents of the San Jose district assisted authorities in locating him.
Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy confirmed both arrests to reporters, crediting civilian cooperation as key to the swift resolution of the manhunt.
"As to the first culprit, our suspect here, right after the incident, we caught him in the school. Some neighbors, some civilians, voluntarily looked for the child suspect. That's how they managed to call the police and we caught him soon after," Capoy said.
Both suspects are Grade 9 students at the same school where the attack occurred. They were brought to Tacloban City Police Station 1, where their parents and guardians were also present at the time of reporting. Brig. Gen. Capoy said the two would be turned over to the city social welfare department in compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
Police recovered two firearms used in the attack — a .38-caliber revolver and a 9mm pistol.
School Bullying Cited as Possible Motive Behind the Attack
In its initial incident report, the TCPO indicated the shooting stemmed from a "grudge due to school bullying." Tacloban City police chief Col. Noelito Getigan said investigators are examining whether bullying directed at one of the suspects served as the primary motive for the attack.
Authorities stressed, however, that the investigation remains ongoing and that the exact relationship between the victims and the suspects has not yet been conclusively established. Police have urged the public to refrain from drawing premature conclusions while the inquiry is active.
The TCPO also appealed for calm and issued a warning against the spread of unverified information that could potentially compromise or hamper the investigation.
Three Schools Suspend Classes as Police Secure the Area
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Tacloban City government suspended classes at San Jose National High School, San Jose Central School, and Manlurip Elementary School. PRO-8 deployed additional police officers around the affected area to secure students, school personnel, and nearby residents.
The heightened security presence was intended to prevent further incidents and to reassure the community as investigators worked to establish the full sequence of events leading up to and following the attack.
DepEd Declares High-Alert Situation, Deploys Support Teams
The Department of Education (DepEd) declared the Tacloban school shooting a "high-alert situation" following news of the attack. The agency dispatched medical and psychosocial support teams to assist affected students and school personnel in coping with the trauma of the incident.
In an official statement, DepEd strongly condemned the act of violence and extended condolences to the families of the victims, while also urging the public to respect the privacy of the children involved in the incident — both as victims and as suspects.
"We strongly condemn this act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims," the Department of Education said, adding that support services had been mobilized for those affected.
The deployment of psychosocial support teams reflects growing concern among education officials over the psychological impact of school violence on learners and staff, particularly in communities where such incidents are rare.
Marcos Orders Thorough Investigation; Palace Says Police Acted Quickly
Malacañang confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was saddened by the shooting and had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro told reporters that police "acted quickly" in arresting the two suspects following the attack.
No further executive directives were announced at the time of this report, though the Palace's statement signaled that the national government is closely monitoring the situation as it develops.
Firearms Recovery and Juvenile Justice Process Now Underway
With both suspects in custody and the firearms used in the shooting recovered, investigators are now focused on building a complete account of how the attack unfolded and how the teenage suspects obtained the weapons used.
Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, as amended, children in conflict with the law are not subject to the same criminal proceedings as adults. Both suspects are expected to be handed over to the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office, which will oversee their custody and any applicable intervention programs.
The TCPO confirmed that a full inquiry into the sequence of events remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced a timeline for the completion of the investigation.
Incident Adds to National Discourse on School Safety and Youth Violence
The June 22, 2026 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City marks one of the most serious incidents of school-based gun violence in Eastern Visayas in recent memory. The attack has renewed calls from education advocates, law enforcement officials, and child welfare groups for stronger safety protocols within Philippine public schools.
The use of firearms by minors has also drawn attention from child protection advocates, who have raised questions about access to guns among youth and the adequacy of existing anti-bullying mechanisms under Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.
DepEd has not yet issued specific policy directives in response to the shooting as of Monday afternoon, June 22, 2026. The department's psychosocial and medical teams remain on the ground in Tacloban City to assist those affected.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be published as new information becomes available from authorities.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of source/Kenneth via Breaking News Negros Oriental