President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has mandated a thorough investigation into a tragic shooting at a public high school in Tacloban City on Monday, which resulted in three deaths and five injuries.
In response to the attack, the Chief Executive also ordered law enforcement to immediately tighten security across educational institutions and public zones.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro conveyed the President’s profound grief over the incident, noting how deeply unsettling it is for a tragedy to unfold inside a school.
“Ikinalulungkot ng Pangulo ang pangyayari. Kahit sino pa man, lalo na ang mga magulang ng mga nabiktima, ay makakaramdam ng lungkot at takot.”
Castro emphasized that the administration’s immediate focus is reinforcing the safety of students, faculty, and citizens nationwide.
“Iniuutos ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga rito at pinapasiguro ang proteksyon at kaligtasan sa lahat ng lugar, opisina, establisyimento lalong-lalo na sa mga paaralan.”
The violence erupted at approximately 9 a.m. on the campus of San Jose National High School, located in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City. Police confirmed that the assault left three people dead and five others wounded.
Law enforcement successfully apprehended two underage suspects who are now under police custody. Officers caught the first suspect shortly after the gunfire, while the second was captured following a swift manhunt operations.
Investigators have since locked down the school grounds as they piece together the motive behind the tragedy, which marks one of the most fatal school campus shootings the country has witnessed in recent history.