The casualty count from Monday’s tragic school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City has increased, according to a Tuesday morning update from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
While the death toll remains at three students, the number of injured victims has reached 20. Police noted that one of the survivors is currently fighting for their life in critical condition.
Among those hurt, 15 individuals suffered gunshot wounds, while five others sustained separate injuries during the ensuing panic.
The incident unfolded at approximately 9:20 a.m. on June 22, triggering widespread terror as faculty and students fled for safety. Local authorities managed to apprehend two underage suspects within a few hours of the assault.
The teenagers, identified by investigators under the aliases “Nash,” 14, and “Rod,” 15, were found in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun and a .38 caliber revolver. Investigators also collected 40 spent shell casings from the school grounds.
PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co shared details regarding the origin of the weapons:
“The firearms used were a 9mm Glock and a caliber .38 Armscor. Upon verification, the 9mm Glock belongs, or was issued to a policewoman assigned in PRO-8. The subject policewoman is now under investigation and placed under the custody of the regional police office. While the caliber .38 revolver is registered to a security agency in Cebu City.”
Preliminary evidence indicates that the suspects may have launched the attack out of deep-seated resentment caused by peer harassment.
“Initially, it appears that the motive of the crime is a grudge over school bullying,” Co said.
Because both suspects are minors, they are currently being held by law enforcement before being transferred to the custody of the city social welfare department, in compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 9344).