School shooting in Philippines leaves 3 dead, 20 injured; 2 students detained
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Three students were killed and at least 20 others injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the central Philippines.
- Two armed students, aged 14 and 15, carried out the attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
- Police are investigating the motive, with initial reports suggesting the suspects claimed to be victims of bullying; one suspect obtained a firearm from a police officer aunt.
A shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, central Philippines, left three students dead and at least 20 others injured on Monday. The perpetrators, identified as two male students aged 14 and 15, opened fire mid-morning, causing panic and chaos within the school.
The suspects stormed into two classrooms because, after the shooting in the first, the children ran out and the suspects apparently chased some victims into another classroom.
According to regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, 15 of the 20 injuries were directly caused by gunfire. One student sustained a head injury and is hospitalized, while others were hurt while fleeing, tripping, or jumping out of windows to escape the violence. The school, which has over 1,500 students, is now the subject of an investigation to determine the motive behind the attack.
Initial interrogations suggest the two suspects, who were close friends, claimed they were being bullied at school. However, further details were not immediately provided. One suspect reportedly used a 9mm pistol obtained from an aunt who is a police officer, and she is now under investigation. The other suspect used a .38 caliber revolver. The ease with which the weapons were brought into the school was attributed to a single security guard being responsible for multiple entrances and exits.
The suspects stormed into two classrooms because, after the shooting in the first, the children ran out and the suspects apparently chased some victims into another classroom.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation and directed law enforcement to enhance security at all schools, workplaces, and public areas. "The president was saddened by this incident. Anyone, especially the parents of the victims, will feel sad and terrified," said Undersecretary for Communications Claire Castro. Videos circulating online show students crying and screaming under desks as gunshots are heard, with some calling their mothers. The suspects will be handed over to authorities.
The president was saddened by this incident. Anyone, especially the parents of the victims, will feel sad and terrified.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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