At least three students were killed and seven others wounded in a shooting at a school in Tacloban, southeast of Manila, authorities reported. The incident involved two teenage suspects, aged 15 and 14, who opened fire on fellow students. One suspect was apprehended immediately following the attack, while the other later surrendered to authorities.

Police recovered 40 empty shells from the scene, and investigators said the weapons used included a 9mm Glock pistol and a .38-caliber revolver. The provenance of the firearms remains under scrutiny. Allen Rae Co, a spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, stated that the Glock pistol had been issued to a police officer currently under investigation and is now held by regional police. Meanwhile, the revolver is registered to a security agency based in Cebu City, located in central Philippines.

School shootings are relatively uncommon in the Philippines, a country with stringent gun ownership regulations that mandate background checks and psychological evaluations. Despite these controls, illegal firearms continue to circulate. The shooting occurred just weeks after schools reopened following a prolonged break.

Authorities have turned the two suspects over to social welfare officials. Preliminary interviews suggest the attack may have been motivated by grievances related to bullying, which the suspects reportedly endured since seventh grade. “Initially, the motive of the crime is a grudge related to school bullying,” Co told reporters.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lamented the tragedy and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He also called on authorities to strengthen security measures in public spaces, particularly in educational institutions.

Victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, and police have deployed additional personnel at the school to safeguard students, staff, and the local community. The shooting is the latest in a series of rare but serious firearm incidents in Philippine schools. In July 2022, another shooting occurred during a law school graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, resulting in three fatalities, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay.