Two students arrested after three killed in school shooting in Philippines | Story

At least seven people have been injured in a series of school shootings in the central Philippine city of Tacloban.

Three students have been killed and seven others injured after a shooting at a high school in the central Philippines.

Two suspects have been arrested after a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, a city on the island of Leyte about 580km (360 miles) southeast of the capital Manila, police said on Monday.

The shooting happened around 9am (01:00 GMT) inside the school, the Tacloban city police office said, adding that an investigation was ongoing to determine what happened.

Tacloban police chief Noelito Getigan told reporters that the suspects used a .38-caliber and a 9mm handgun in the shooting.

One suspect, a juvenile and ninth-grader, was arrested shortly after the incident, while the other surrendered to authorities, Getigan said.

Police said the victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while others were sent to the school to ensure the safety of students, staff, parents and the surrounding community.

The shooting is investigated

The president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ordered an investigation into the shooting shortly after it happened.

“The President is saddened by what happened,” his office said in a statement, adding that he ordered a thorough investigation and ordered officials to ensure safety and security in all areas, offices and offices, especially schools.

Officials urged the public not to spread unconfirmed information and to cooperate with investigators.

The Ministry of Education expressed deep concern, calling the incident “highly alarming”. In his statement, he condemned the violence and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

This is not unusual in the Philippines, where school shootings occur from time to time.

In July 2022, a gunman opened fire at the graduation ceremony of the Ateneo de Manila law school in Quezon City, killing three people, including former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay.