Tacloban school shooting kills three and injures dozens of students

On 22 June 2026, two Grade‑9 students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. The attackers used a 9 mm Glock pistol that belonged to a police officer aunt and a .38‑calibre revolver linked to a security agency. Three students were killed and between 13 and 20 others were wounded; most of the victims were female. Police recovered about 40 shell casings and video footage showed panicked children fleeing the classrooms.

Both suspects were arrested, placed in custody of social‑welfare authorities, and will be processed under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which exempts those 15 years and younger from criminal prosecution unless discernment is proven. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation and urged tighter security in schools. Authorities are probing bullying as a motive and have also examined the suspects’ exposure to the violent online game Gorebox, leading to a temporary nationwide ban on the app. The incident has sparked debate on lowering the age of criminal responsibility and prompted nationwide reviews of school safety protocols.