School shooting in central Philippines leaves three dead, five injured

Philippines school shooting leaves three dead. AP file photo

Three people were killed in a shooting at a school in the central Philippines on Monday, police said. Authorities arrested one suspect shortly after the attack and launched a manhunt for a second suspect who remains at large.Police said the shooting took place at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City in Leyte province at around 9:00 am (0100 GMT), inside Barangay San Jose, according to the Tacloban City Police Office.Tacloban City police chief Noelito Getigan told Reuters that the suspects used a .38-calibre and a 9mm firearm during the attack.Police said eight people were struck by gunfire in the incident. Of them, three died, while five others sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, saying their families are yet to be notified.

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Police chief said one suspect, a Grade 9 student and minor, was arrested shortly after the incident, while the second suspect later surrendered to authorities.Police confirmed that both suspects are now in custody as investigations continue to determine the circumstances and motive behind the shooting.Authorities said the victims were immediately transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Additional police personnel have been deployed at the school to ensure the safety of students, staff, parents and the surrounding community.Officials have urged the public not to circulate unverified information and to cooperate with investigators as the probe continues.School shootings remain rare in the Philippines, though the country has seen isolated incidents in recent years, including a 2022 attack at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City in which three people were killed, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay.