Philippines High School Shooting Kills Three Students, Police Cite Bullying Grudge

Three students have been killed and others injured following a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, central Philippines. Investigators suggest the 14- and 15-year-old suspects were motivated by a 'grudge' stemming from bullying.

Police Actions and Weapon Origin

One suspect was apprehended shortly after the incident, while the second later surrendered. The firearms utilised were a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol, the latter belonging to a policewoman who is a relative of one of the perpetrators and has since been taken into custody. Colonel Allen Rae Co, the national police spokesperson, indicated that the suspects 'went straight to the classroom. Without saying anything, they started firing.'

Approximately 40 empty casings were recovered from the scene. Beyond the three fatalities, three individuals suffered gunshot wounds, and four others were injured in the ensuing panic. Co also stated that violent videos of one of the teens discharging a firearm were discovered on his social media, suggesting 'red flags' were overlooked that might have prevented the crime.

Broader Context and Official Response

While gun violence remains a concern in the Philippines, school shootings are rare. Jennelyn Badoria, mother of one 15-year-old victim, demanded accountability for those who provided the weapons, stating, 'I'm asking that the gun owners be charged, because the guns wouldn't have ended up in the children's hands if it weren't for them.' City police reiterated calls for gun owners to secure their firearms responsibly and engage with their children.

President Ferdinand Marcos's spokeswoman conveyed the president's sorrow, and the education ministry expressed 'deep concern,' announcing a review of school security, bullying policies, and student behavioural monitoring systems. Official police data indicates a recent decline in gun violence, with close to 5,000 cases recorded nationwide in 2024.