3 students killed, 7 injured in Philippines school shooting

At least three students were killed and seven others injured when two fellow students opened fire at a school on the central Philippine island of Leyte, local police confirmed on Monday.

The incident occurred at approximately 9am local time on June 22 at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, located about 580 kilometers southeast of the capital, Manila, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The Tacloban City Police Office stated that an investigation into the shooting is currently underway.

Police Chief Noelito Getigan told reporters that the suspects utilized .38-caliber and 9mm weapons during the attack. Shortly after the incident, a ninth-grade student was apprehended. The second suspect later voluntarily surrendered to the authorities.

According to police, the injured victims have been admitted to a nearby hospital. Additional police personnel have been deployed to the school to ensure the safety of students, faculty, parents, and the surrounding community.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a full investigation after being notified of the shooting. A statement from his office expressed the President's deep sorrow over the incident and noted that he has directed relevant authorities to conduct a thorough probe while ensuring the security of schools and all public installations.

The Department of Education expressed profound concern, classifying the incident as a "high alert situation." The department condemned the violence and extended its condolences to the families of the victims.

Authorities have urged the public to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and to refrain from spreading unverified information.

School shootings are rare in the Philippines. The last major school-related shooting occurred in July 2022, when a gunman opened fire during a law school graduation ceremony at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, killing three people, including former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay.