Philippines pushes school security reforms after Tacloban high‑school shooting

On June 22, 2026, two minor suspects aged 15 and 14 opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, killing three students and injuring about 20 others. Police recovered a 9 mm pistol and a .38‑caliber revolver, and the suspects were placed in custody. Charges including murder and serious physical injury were filed against the older teen.

Vice President Sara Duterte visited the wake, expressed deep sadness, and called for stronger school security and better intelligence gathering, saying, “Education is not only about academics… it is deeply intertwined with national security and stability.” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian also visited families, pledged government assistance, and promised that justice would be pursued. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation.

In the political aftermath, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian renewed a proposal to ban minors from social media, citing the shooting and concerns over digital addiction and violent video games. Several Senate bills aim to restrict or prohibit children under 16 from holding social‑media accounts and to regulate access to violent games, reflecting a broader legislative push on youth safety.