Three students killed in school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Philippines

On June 22, 2026, two students aged 14 and 15 opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Philippines, killing three students and injuring seven others. The suspects, who claimed they were motivated by a grudge over school bullying, bypassed minimal security to bring a .38-caliber revolver and a police officer's 9mm pistol onto campus. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation and demanded tighter security in public spaces, while victims' families demand accountability for the gun owners.

San Jose High School shooting

• ▪Two students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Philippines, on June 22, 2026, killing three students
• ▪The shooting at San Jose National High School injured seven other students, with three wounded by gunshots and four injured during the panic to escape

Bullying as shooting motive

• ▪Philippine National Police spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co stated that investigators discovered social media videos of one suspect firing a gun prior to the shooting
• ▪The two teenage suspects told investigators during initial questioning that they were motivated by a grudge over being bullied at the school

Inadequate school security measures

• ▪The suspects managed to bring firearms onto the campus because only one security guard was on duty to monitor multiple entrances and exits
• ▪The Philippines Department of Education and local police announced a joint review of school security protocols, bullying policies, and student behavioral monitoring

Police officer gun source

• ▪The second weapon used in the attack, a .38-caliber revolver, was registered to a security agency based in Cebu City
• ▪One suspect used a Glock 9mm pistol registered to an aunt who is a regional police officer, and she has been taken into custody

Presidential investigation order

• ▪President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting and directed law enforcement to boost security in schools and public areas
• ▪Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was saddened and expressed grief and fear over the school shooting

Philippine firearms crime prevalence

• ▪In July 2022, a gunman killed three people, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay, during a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University
• ▪While crimes involving firearms are prevalent in the Philippines due to unlicensed weapons, school shootings remain extremely rare in the country

Perspective of Victims' Families

• ▪Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was saddened and expressed grief and fear over the school shooting
• ▪One suspect used a Glock 9mm pistol registered to an aunt who is a regional police officer, and she has been taken into custody