At least three people were killed and five others wounded on Monday in a rare school shooting in the central Philippines, according to police. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte province. Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack.
All victims were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, regional police said in a statement. Government broadcaster PTV reported that two suspects both reportedly students—were arrested, with one apprehended at the scene.
The PNP acted quickly and has already captured the suspects, presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro told reporters.
School shootings are uncommon in the Philippines. In a similar incident in 2022, three people, including a former city mayor, were killed in a shooting before a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in Manila. That attack was later found to be an assassination motivated by personal reasons.
While legal gun ownership is strictly regulated in the Philippines, a significant black market for firearms persists in the country.
Source: AFP
