Full Breakdown
Tacloban High School Shooting Leaves Three Dead, Sparks National Debate on School Safety and Juvenile Justice
6/25/2026, 1:02:33 AM
Key Facts
On 22 June 2026, two male students, ages 14 and 15, entered San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, and fired a 9 mm Glock pistol and a .38-calibre revolver. Three students died; many were injured. Police recovered about 40 shell casings.
Timeline
At 07:30 a.m. the 14-year-old entered a restroom during the flag ceremony; the 15-year-old joined at 08:00 and they stayed for about an hour. Gunfire erupted in a classroom at 09:20 a.m.; the older suspect was detained at 09:30, while the younger surrendered after a neighbor’s tip. Both were handed to the Tacloban City Social Welfare Office.
Casualties & Weapons
Three students (15-17) died. Injuries reported range from seven (BBC, CBS) to twenty (Rappler), including gunshot wounds and panic injuries. The Glock pistol was registered to a policewoman aunt; the .38-calibre revolver to a security agency in Cebu City. The school serves about 2,000 pupils and had only two guards on duty.
Official Responses
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed sadness and ordered an investigation. Spokesperson Claire Castro said “anyone, especially the parents of the victims, would feel grief and fear.” Police spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co cited bullying as a motive, noted missed “red-flag” warnings and placed the firearms under investigation. The Department of Education declared a “high-alert situation” and will review security protocols and bullying policies.
Criticism & Reform
Mother Jennelyn Badoria demanded charges against the gun owners, saying the weapons would not have reached children otherwise. Senator Risa Hontiveros called for a Senate inquiry into online platforms that may radicalise minors. Police backed lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 12, with a draft proposing age 10.
On-the-Ground Accounts
Teacher Irvin Nogar heard “loud gun shots,” locked the door and saw students crying under desks. Teacher Glenn Bazar said a shooter pointed a gun at him while pupils huddled. Sixteen-year-old “Diane” ran for safety, injuring both ankles. A parent saw two teens with firearms before the shots.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources confirm three deaths; injured counts range from seven to twenty. Police first cited bullying, later added possible online influence, and the firearms’ origin remains under investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “So this is very obviously red flags... we're not putting blame on anybody, but if anybody was able to monitor these red flags, this could have been prevented.” — Colonel Allen Rae Co, Philippine National Police spokesperson
- “I'm asking that the gun owners be charged, because the guns wouldn't have ended up in the children's hands if it weren't for them,” — Jennelyn Badoria, mother of a slain student
- “We really don’t prepare for this kind of incident,” — Lt. Evalyn Diaz, police spokesperson
- “Anyone, especially the parents of the victims, would feel grief and fear,” — Claire Castro, presidential spokesperson
What’s Next
Forensic analysis of the weapons continues; a Senate inquiry on online radicalisation is planned, and legislation to lower the criminal-age threshold is under debate.
