A horrific school shooting in the Philippines left three students dead and seven others injured after two teenage students allegedly launched an attack on campus Monday morning, police said.
The violence erupted around 9 a.m. local time on June 22 at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, located in the central Philippines. Authorities said police rushed to the school after receiving reports of an active shooting involving students.
When officers arrived, they secured the campus and helped get the wounded victims to nearby hospitals. Police later confirmed that all of the victims were minors. Three students were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Tacloban City Police Office said two teenage suspects, identified only by the aliases “Rod” and “Nash,” were taken into custody. Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy told reporters that the suspects are 14 and 15 years old and both attended the same high school.
According to police, one suspect was arrested at the scene. The other allegedly ran to a nearby home before residents alerted authorities, leading to his arrest.
Investigators believe the attack may have been driven by a personal grudge connected to bullying.
“Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case,” police said in a statement.
The terrifying moments inside the school were described by social studies teacher Irvin Nogar, 52, who said he was teaching when he suddenly heard “loud gun shots.”
“I saw a shooter walking towards our area, so I told the students to be calm and hide under their desks and I locked the door,” Nogar told Agence France-Presse, according to France24. “They were crying and in panic.”
Capoy said the suspects allegedly stormed two classrooms during the attack.
“The suspects barged into two rooms because after the shooting in the first, the children scampered and the suspects apparently ran after some victims into another room,” Capoy told reporters, according to the Associated Press.
Police said two firearms were recovered from the scene and will be examined by forensic investigators.
“This tragic incident involving minors is deeply distressing,” Tacloban City police director Noelito A. Getigan said in a statement. “We assure the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is underway to establish the truth and ensure accountability while observing applicable laws, especially those protecting minors.”
The Philippines’ Department of Education also condemned the shooting and said it was working with government agencies to provide medical help and psychosocial support to the victims and others affected by the tragedy.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our earnest prayers for the swift recovery of those who were injured,” the department said.
School shootings are rare in the Philippines, but targeted gun violence has occurred before. In 2022, a former city mayor and two others were killed in a shooting before a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University. Investigators later said that attack was tied to personal motives.
Authorities said the investigation into Monday’s shooting remains ongoing.
But, but, I thought this only happens in the United States? How can this be?!