Philippines school shooting: 2 minors open fire during classes, leaving 3 dead and 5 injured

Three students were killed and five others injured after two armed minors opened fire at a high school in the central Philippines on Monday morning, authorities said.

The shooting took place at around 9:00 am local time at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte province. The government-run school has more than 1,500 students.

According to the Tacloban City Police Office, classes were underway when the suspects entered the campus and began shooting. Students and teachers rushed for cover as gunfire erupted inside the school.

Emergency responders took five injured students to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that all three people killed in the attack were students.

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Authorities said officers responded quickly to the scene and arrested the primary suspect, a 15-year-old Grade 9 student at the school, on campus. A second suspect, who is also a minor, was arrested shortly afterwards while attempting to flee the area.

"We urge the public to remain calm, refrain from disseminating unverified information, and cooperate with authorities by providing any information that may aid the ongoing investigation," the Philippine National Police said in a statement.

Investigators recovered two firearms from the scene—a .38-calibre revolver and a 9mm pistol. Authorities are now working to establish a motive for the attack and determine how the suspects managed to bring the weapons onto school grounds.

A heavy police presence remained at the campus on Monday as officers secured the area and assisted students, staff and families affected by the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.