At least three students have tragically lost their lives in a devastating school shooting incident that occurred at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, the Philippines. The heartbreaking event, which took place around 9am local time, also left five students injured, with three fatalities confirmed.
Amidst the ongoing classes, the sound of gunshots rang out, causing fear and chaos among both students and teachers. Two individuals have been singled out as persons of interest, one of whom is a 15-year-old student from the school.
Authorities from the Police Regional Office-8 have assured the public that they are actively pursuing the arrest of these suspects. To bolster security and protect students, school staff, parents, and the community, additional police forces have been dispatched to the area.
In a statement, the police emphasized the importance of remaining calm, avoiding the spread of unverified information, and cooperating with law enforcement by providing any pertinent details to aid the investigation.
One suspect was apprehended on the scene, while the other was captured after a pursuit operation. The firearm believed to have been used in the attack was confiscated, as reported by local media.
The suspects, one classified as a Child In Conflict with the Law and a resident of Barangay San Jose, are currently undergoing questioning by the police. The Tacloban City police chief, Noelito Getigan, disclosed that the shooting incident may have stemmed from alleged bullying experienced by the suspects.