Two juvenile students, enrolled in Grades 9 and 10, were taken into custody after a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday morning left three students dead and five others wounded. According to police and witness reports, the suspects allegedly opened fire at approximately 9:20 a.m., prompting a campus-wide lockdown and emergency medical response.
How the attack unfolded
The incident began as the school week started, disrupting classes for more than 1,600 students and 110 teachers. According to witness accounts, gunfire erupted across the campus, forcing staff and students to flee or seek cover. A teacher who requested anonymity reported that one suspect began firing outside a classroom window before entering the room. Another educator, Glenn Bazar, stated he was teaching when a suspect pointed a firearm at him, forcing him to drop to the floor. Bazar observed the suspects moving through the campus while armed, during which time one of his students sustained a gunshot wound to the hands.
Casualties and current status
Police confirmed that three students, aged 16 to 17, died during the attack. Two victims were declared dead at the scene with gunshot wounds to the head and back, while a third died while being transported to a hospital. Five additional students sustained injuries and remain under medical care. By Monday afternoon, authorities had secured the crime scene, cordoning off classrooms and surrounding grounds to facilitate an ongoing investigation into the shooting.
What happens next
As the investigation proceeds, the school and local authorities are likely to prioritize trauma counseling for the student body and faculty affected by the violence. Given that the suspects are minors, legal proceedings may involve specialized juvenile justice protocols rather than standard criminal court processes. The school is expected to remain closed or under restricted access while investigators finalize their analysis of the crime scene. Future security measures on campus could be subject to review by local officials as the community manages the aftermath of the incident.
