Philippines foils Tolosa school shooting plot, files murder complaints for Tacloban attack

Authorities in the Philippines uncovered a plot by a 14‑year‑old Grade 10 student to attack Tolosa National High School in Leyte after the student posted threatening messages on social media. The minor was taken into police custody, questioned by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and released to her family because no crime could be charged. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the threat appeared to be a copycat of the recent deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, adding, "We confirmed that the information was accurate."

The original Tacloban shooting on June 22 involved a 15‑year‑old and a 14‑year‑old who used a 9 mm Glock pistol and a .38‑caliber revolver, killing three students and wounding many others. Police filed murder, frustrated murder and serious‑injury complaints against the 15‑year‑old; the 14‑year‑old will undergo an intervention program under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Both minors remain in the custody of Tacloban’s Social Welfare office.

Remulla urged Congress to strengthen gun‑control legislation and called for a ban on the violent online game GoreBox, which investigators said the Tolosa suspect had played.