Tacloban school shooting kills 3

TWO MINORS have been taken into custody in connection with a shooting at a public high school in Tacloban City, Leyte, that killed three students and injured at least seven, authorities said on Monday.

The suspects, identified by the aliases “Rod,” 15, and “Nash,” 14, allegedly opened fire at 9:20 a.m. inside a classroom at San Jose National High School, Philippine National Police spokesperson and information chief Allen Rae F. Co told a livestreamed news briefing.

He said an initial investigation recovered 40 shell casings and two firearms: a 9mm Glock allegedly issued to a Police Regional Office 8 policewoman and a .38 caliber revolver registered to a Cebu-based security agency.

The motive is being attributed to a personal grudge involving school bullying, though Mr. Co said they are reviewing all angles, including the possibility that the suspects were imitating foreign school shootings after one suspect was seen wearing a shirt associated with such incidents abroad.

Mr. Co said that the suspects were armed with multiple magazines, and one began firing from a window.

“God forbid what could have happened if we had not responded immediately,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said in a brief statement on Monday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and directed authorities to ensure safety and security in schools and other public places.

Mr. Co said that the suspects remain under police custody pending referral to social welfare authorities pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking