TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A typical Monday morning dissolved into chaos and terror at San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose on Moday, after two gunmen opened fire inside the campus, leaving three students dead and five others injured.
The violent incident, which occurred at approximately 9:00 AM, has sent shockwaves through the local community and the entire country, where school shootings remain exceedingly rare.
According to witnesses, the sound of gunfire suddenly rang out across the government-run campus, which serves over 1,500 students. Screams echoed through the hallways as terrified students and teachers ran for cover, scrambling over school grounds to escape the active shooters. Video footage shared on social media showed distraught students weeping and fleeing the premises, while others carried a bleeding female classmate out to safety.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the first alarms were raised. The five injured victims were immediately evacuated and transported to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment and surgical intervention. Their conditions have not yet been fully disclosed.
The Tacloban City Police Office acted swiftly, locking down the campus and launching an immediate tactical response. Authorities confirmed that both male suspects were taken into custody shortly after the attack.
Tacloban Police Chief Noelito Getigan revealed that the shooters used a .38-caliber revolver and a 9mm pistol during the assault. Local media reports indicate that one of the apprehended suspects is a 15-year-old Grade 9 student at the school, who was arrested directly on the campus grounds. The identities of the suspects and the victims have been withheld by authorities as the investigation continues.
As police investigators review evidence and question witnesses, a clear motive for the horrific attack has yet to be established. The Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a formal statement following the arrests: “We urge the public to remain calm, refrain from disseminating unverified information, and cooperate with authorities by providing any information that may aid the ongoing investigation.”
While firearm-related crimes are a persistent issue in the Philippines due to a high volume of unlicensed weapons, targeted violence inside academic institutions is incredibly uncommon. In the wake of the tragedy, local officials and parents are already calling for a massive overhaul of school security measures and intensified psychosocial support for the traumatized student body.
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