THE RECENT shooting inside the San Jose National High School in Tacloban on Monday, triggered a call to implement tighter security measures in educational institutions starting with bag inspections of students, employees and teachers to prevent a repeat of the crime that killed four and injured 20 students, 15 of them for gunshot wounds.
Some colleges and universities have also tightened security protocols.
Police have arrested two minors aged 14 and 15, but Sen. Francisco Pangilinan warned against releasing them and perhaps even getting their parents in custody.
A report by Reuters said the suspects opened fire at a school, and one of them was arrested soon after the shooting while the other suspect surrendered to police.
TOO MUCH RAGE
Police said the suspects used a 9mm Glock pistol and a caliber 38 revolver, but it remains unclear how they obtained the firearms. Police said 40 empty shells were recovered from the crime scene, Reuters added.
Col. Allen Rae Co, the Philippine National Police spokesperson, said the pistol was issued to a female cop now under investigation and has since been placed under regional police custody, while the revolver is registered to a security agency based in Cebu City.
School shootings are rare in the Philippines, which has relatively strict gun ownership regulations, including background checks and psychological evaluation requirements, though illegal firearms remain in circulation.
The shooting occurred weeks after schools in the Philippines reopened following a months-long break.
Both suspects have been turned over to social welfare authorities. Initial interviews indicated the two were allegedly bullied since they were in seventh grade.
“Initially, the motive of the crime is a grudge related to school bullying,” Co told reporters.
THOROUGH PROBE
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, expressing sadness over the incident, ordered a thorough investigation and directed authorities to ensure safety and security in public places, especially schools.
Police said the victims have been transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while additional personnel have been deployed at the school to ensure the safety of students, staff, parents, and the surrounding community.
Reuters recalled that in July 2022, a gunman opened fire at an Ateneo de Manila University law school graduation ceremony in Quezon City, killing three people, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay.
Lt. Col. Analiza Armeza, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-8 (PRO-8), said all injured victims, particularly those firearm-related, are currently confined in various hospitals, reported the Inquirer.
MINOR SUSPECTS
Meanwhile, the two minor suspects, aged 14 and 15, have been placed under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) while police continue their investigation.
They were turned over to the CSWDO yesterday at about 2 p.m., but the police continue the processing and documentation,” Armeza said.
The suspects, both students of San Jose National High School and enrolled in Grades 9 and 10, allegedly carried out the attack inside the school campus on Monday at about 9:20 a.m.
The shooting incident left four students dead, making it the deadliest school-related attack recorded in Eastern Visayas, if not in the entire country.
Authorities have yet to establish the motive behind the attack. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses as part of the ongoing probe.
TIGHTER SECURITY
San Jose National High School, one of the largest public secondary schools in Tacloban City, has a student population of over 1,600 and over 110 teaching personnel.
The tragedy has prompted calls from government agencies and local officials for tighter security measures in schools, including increased visibility of barangay watchmen.
Updated reports said the fatality count rose to four based on reports of the Philippine Red Cross teams at local hospitals checking on the young learners who have sustained injuries.
“Our team is making sure their safety, welfare, and immediate needs are being taken care of,” the PRC said.
On Tuesday, the PRC teams will coordinate directly with the local government unit and deploy to hospitals and funeral parlors to continuously support wounded survivors and bereaved families.
FIRST RESPONDERS
Moments after the shooting incident, the PRC immediately mobilized its ambulance units and psychosocial support teams to provide urgent assistance to affected students, families, and school personnel.
The PRC Leyte Chapter also deployed an ambulance team with three responders, along with welfare volunteers who provided Psychological First Aid (PFA) on-site to those affected.
The emergency response teams, equipped with ambulance services, immediately provided on-site care and treated injured students before transporting or referring them for further medical attention as needed.
A total of 28 individuals—including students, parents, and members of the school community—received psychosocial support, while four others were treated for abrasions and hyperventilation due to panic and distress.
PRC welfare volunteers continue to visit hospitals to support confined students, assess further humanitarian needs, and coordinate with hospitals for possible blood requirements and assistance for affected families. Security measures were also reinforced in coordination with authorities to help manage the scene and ensure the safety of students, responders, and school personnel.
PATTERN OF VIOLENCE
PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon expressed deep sadness over the incident and condoled with the victims’ families as well as extended support for those recovering from injuries and trauma.
“This is a heartbreaking incident, especially because it involved young people in a place where they should feel safe and protected,” Gordon said.
He also raised concern over a series of recent violent incidents in schools within the week, stressing that schools must remain safe spaces for children.
“We are seeing a worrying pattern of violence involving students inside school grounds… Schools are meant to be places of learning, protection, and development—not fear and harm,” he said.
Gordon called on concerned agencies to strengthen school security, improve perimeter protection, regulate campus entry and exit, and ensure the presence of guidance counselors and adequate mental health support in all schools.
The PRC stands with the Department of Education and other concerned agencies in ensuring the safety, protection, and welfare of students.