Tacloban School Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, 13 Injured; Two Minors Held as Police Probe Firearms, Motive

Posted on June 23, 2026 at 4:23 am

Tacloban City – A school morning turned tragic after gunfire erupted inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, leaving three students dead and 13 others injured in one of the most serious school-related shooting incidents in Eastern Visayas in recent years.

Police said the shooting happened at around 9:20 a.m. on Monday inside the school campus. Panic quickly spread as shots were fired across the grounds, sending students and teachers running for safety. Many left behind bags, shoes, and personal belongings as they tried to escape the chaos.

Initial reports from the Tacloban City Police Office (Station 1) confirmed that eight individuals were immediately hit by gunfire. The number of wounded later rose to 13 as hospitals across the city continued to account for victims brought in for treatment.

The victims, mostly students aged 14 to 17, were rushed to several hospitals, including the Leyte Provincial Hospital, Tacloban City Hospital, Ace Medical Center, and the Eastern Visayas Medical Center. Three students were declared dead, while others remain under medical care. Authorities have not yet released their identities, pending notification of their families.

Inside the school, investigators later found overturned chairs and scattered classroom furniture as they secured the campus and cordoned off affected areas.

Minors identified as suspects

Police confirmed that two minors, both students of the school, were identified as suspects. One of them, a child in conflict with the law (CICL) and a resident of Barangay San Jose, was arrested shortly after the incident. The second suspect was later taken into custody as the investigation progressed.

Authorities are still working to establish the full sequence of events and the specific roles of each suspect.

As news of the shooting spread, anxious parents rushed to the school grounds, desperately searching for their children amid scenes of confusion and distress.

Motive still under investigation

Police said the motive remains unclear. One of the suspects allegedly mentioned bullying as a possible factor, but authorities stressed that this has not been confirmed and is still being verified as part of the investigation.

The Tacloban City Police Office said a full and impartial investigation is ongoing to determine the sequence of events and identify any other individuals who may be involved or liable.

Firearms traced to police family and security agency

The investigation also widened after the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) confirmed that one of the firearms used in the shooting was traced to the family of a police officer, who is now under restrictive custody and under investigation. The officer is the aunt of one of the minor suspects.

Authorities also said another firearm was traced to a security agency based in Cebu, although verification is still ongoing.

Investigators are now looking into possible lapses in firearm storage and custody, as well as possible legal accountability for those responsible for securing the weapons.

Government response and assistance

Tacloban Vice Mayor Raymund Romualdez urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely only on official updates from authorities. He confirmed that the suspects have already been apprehended and said the focus is now on assisting affected families.

“Our priority is the welfare of everyone affected,” Romualdez said. “We are providing psychological first aid to students, teachers, and parents while coordinating closely with DepEd and partner agencies to strengthen safety measures.”

Meanwhile, Leyte First District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ordered immediate assistance for the victims and their families. His office will shoulder hospital expenses for the injured and cover funeral costs for those who died. Coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also been made to provide psychosocial support and counseling.

“No family should have to go through this alone,” Romualdez said. “We will continue to support them as they begin the difficult process of healing.”

Community in shock

The shooting has left the school community deeply shaken. Education and police officials are now working together to provide counseling and psychological support to students, teachers, and families.

Authorities are also reviewing school safety measures and firearm regulations, as concerns grow over how minors were able to access weapons.

The incident is now considered one of the most serious school-related shootings in Tacloban City in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stricter firearm security and stronger protection measures in schools across the region.

As the investigation continues, families and the wider community are left seeking answers and hoping for justice and healing in the aftermath of a tragedy that unfolded in a place meant for learning and safety. — with reports: Ronnie Yanuario, April Cuesta and Christian Torres

Photo by: The Vanguard