Three Killed, Five Injured in Rare School Shooting in Central Philippines

At least three people were killed and five others injured after gunmen opened fire inside a high school in the central Philippines on Monday, in a rare school shooting that has shocked the country and prompted a major police investigation.

The attack occurred at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, located in Leyte province. Police said the shooting took place at around 9:00 a.m. local time within the school premises, triggering panic among students, teachers, and parents.

Authorities confirmed that three people died in the incident while five others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released.

Philippine police said at least one suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting, while reports indicated a second suspect was either being pursued or later taken into custody as investigations continued. Officials have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack.

According to police, one of the suspects is believed to be a student at the school. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether the attackers specifically targeted any victims.

Following the incident, additional security personnel were deployed to the school and surrounding area. Authorities urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to cooperate with investigators as they piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.

School shootings remain relatively uncommon in the Philippines, despite the country’s ongoing struggle with illegal firearms. The attack is likely to renew discussions about school security and gun violence nationwide. A similar incident in 2022 at a university in Manila left three people dead and several others injured.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining witness accounts, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence to establish the motive behind one of the deadliest school attacks in the Philippines in recent years.