Attack Planned for Over a Month, Police Say
Philippine police have revealed that a school shooting in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and 20 others injured, was meticulously planned for weeks by two teenage suspects. The incident occurred on Monday morning at San Jose National High School, shocking the nation as no similar mass shooting had been recorded in recent Philippine history.
According to the Philippine National Police investigation, the suspects, aged 15 and 14, fired at least 34 rounds. Three students were killed, 15 others were wounded by gunfire, and five more sustained injuries unrelated to bullets. The attack was not spontaneous, according to police spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co, who stated, “All indications point to the fact that it was really planned.”
Bullying as Possible Motive
Investigators believe that bullying may have driven the attack. “Initially, it appears that the motive of the crime was a grudge for school bullying,” Co told reporters. Eastern Visayas Police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said the suspects had been planning the attack since April or May, indicating a long premeditation period.
Capoy expressed alarm that the minors were aware of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which exempts children aged 15 and below from criminal liability but subjects them to intervention programs. “They had been planning for it since April or May. It’s alarming that they are familiar with the law,” he said, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.
Weapons Used in the Attack
The 14-year-old suspect used a Glock service firearm belonging to his aunt, a police officer who has since been relieved of duty. The 15-year-old used a .38 caliber revolver owned by his grandfather, a former security guard. Most of the shots fired during the attack came from the Glock, according to police.
Viral footage on social media showed the suspects displaying their weapons before the attack, further supporting the planned nature of the crime.
Security Measures Increased
In response, police and the Department of Education have tightened security at schools across Tacloban City as educational institutions reopened on Wednesday. Additional inspections are being conducted at churches, transport terminals, malls, and public spaces, particularly during school opening and dismissal hours, according to the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region.
Intelligence units have been tasked with enhancing open-source intelligence and social media monitoring to detect threats and alarming online posts. The incident has prompted a nationwide discussion on school safety and juvenile justice.
