2026 Tacloban School Attack

2026 Tacloban School Shooting is an armed attack that occurred on 22 June 2026 at San Jose National High School (San Jose National High School) in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban, in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. Two male suspects, both students at the school and of young age, opened fire inside a classroom. As a result of the attack, four students lost their lives. Many other students were injured.

The attack occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, 22 June 2026. According to the initial report from the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), the incident took place inside San Jose National High School at local time 09:20 and was reported to police two minutes later. The attack occurred during class hours. According to Police Lieutenant Evalyn Diaz, teachers and students panicked upon hearing a series of gunshots, with some fleeing and others choosing to hide inside classrooms.

According to Regional Police Chief Brigadier General Jason Capoy, after opening fire in the first classroom, the suspects pursued fleeing students into a second classroom. Police recovered at least 40 empty casings at the scene.

Two handguns were used in the attack. One suspect obtained the 9 mm handgun he used during the attack from his aunt, a police officer; an investigation has been launched into the officer. The other suspect used a .38 caliber handgun. Investigators determined that most of the bullets fired during the attack originated from the Glock 9 mm service weapon belonging to the aunt of one of the suspects. Police are also investigating the security company responsible for the .38 caliber handgun recovered at the scene.

According to Capoy, the suspects were able to bring weapons onto the school campus because only one security officer was stationed at each entry and exit point.

Initial statements on 22 June reported that three students had died in the attack. According to Capoy, two of the deceased were girls and one was a boy. Police Lieutenant Evalyn Diaz told Rappler that two students died at the school and one died in the hospital. On 23 June 2026, the number of fatalities rose to four.

The exact number of injured has not been officially disclosed. Some reports indicate that at least 20 people were injured, with 15 wounded by gunfire and the remaining injured while attempting to reach safety by falling or jumping from windows.

The suspects are 14 and 15 years old and are male students at the school. Neither suspect has a prior criminal record. Capoy stated that during initial questioning, the suspects, who are close friends, claimed they had been bullied at school but provided no further details.

The TCPO's initial report identified the motive as “grudge [due to] school bullying.” Authorities are examining possible bullying factors and other social influences that may have contributed to the incident as part of the ongoing investigation.

Eastern Visayas Police Chief Brigadier General Jason Capoy stated that investigators determined the 14 and 15 year old suspects had planned the attack since April or May.

According to Capoy, the 14-year-old suspect is addicted to a mobile game called GoreBox, which features graphic violence and gun use. Police investigators noted that one of the suspects had posted online videos before the attack, including footage of himself firing weapons. Authorities have examined these posts as potential warning signs that were not acted upon.

The first suspect was apprehended immediately after the attack on school grounds. The second suspect fled and hid in a nearby house, and was apprehended by police hours later with the help of residents from a neighboring barangay.

Tacloban police confirmed that the suspects are being held at the Tacloban City Police Station No. 1 in Barangay San Jose. The suspects’ parents and guardians are also present at the station. The weapons used in the attack (.38 caliber and 9 mm Glock) have been taken into custody at the station.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the suspects or detailed information about the weapons used due to their age. Police are conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident, identify any other individuals involved, and establish the motive.

Under a 2006 Philippine law, the minimum age for criminal responsibility is set at 15. Criminal responsibility arises only if authorities determine that the suspect clearly understood the nature and consequences of the crime committed.

Diaz stated that the city’s Social Welfare Department is coordinating the care of the suspects. This process is being conducted in accordance with Republic Act No. 9344 (The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act). PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Brigadier General Jason L. Capoy stated that the suspects are under police custody and will be referred to the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered that strong legal action be prepared against all individuals who may have facilitated the suspects’ access to the weapons used in the attack. Nartatez stated that a separate administrative case will be initiated against the female police officer who owned the 9 mm handgun used by one of the suspects; the officer has been placed under restrictive supervision.

Deputy National Police Commission Chairperson and Executive Director Rafael Vicente Calinisan announced that a motu proprio administrative investigation will be conducted into the possible administrative liability of the female police officer.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack and called for increased security in schools, workplaces, and public areas. Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Spokesperson Claire Castro stated that the President expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez called for stronger parental and school involvement in monitoring children’s social media and device usage following the incident. The Department of Education (DepEd) condemned the attack and declared the situation a “high-alert situation.” DepEd urged the public to respect the privacy and dignity of all children involved and confirmed that a comprehensive and impartial investigation is underway in coordination with relevant authorities.

DepEd Tacloban School Division Superintendent Sherlita Palma expressed deep sorrow over the incident, in which three students died and others were injured, saying, “In this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and the entire school community.” DepEd Eastern Visayas Regional Director Salustiano T. Jimenez Jr. stated, “The safety, security, and well-being of our students and personnel remain our highest priority.”

Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also expressed profound grief over the incident, saying, “A school must always be a place of learning, safety, and hope. No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child in a place meant to protect them.” Romualdez also called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable under the law.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) mobilized ambulance units and psychosocial support teams immediately after the incident. The PRC Leyte Chapter deployed a three-member ambulance team and welfare volunteers trained in Psychological First Aid (PFA) at the scene within minutes of the attack. A total of 28 individuals, including students, parents, and school community members, received psychosocial support. PRC President and CEO Richard J. Gordon expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

Social Welfare and Development Department (DSWD) Field Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) social workers provided psychological first aid and psychosocial support services to grieving families, survivors, witnesses, and other affected individuals. DSWD Assistant Undersecretary Irene Dumlao stated that social workers will continuously assess all victims to ensure they receive the necessary assistance.

The DepEd Tacloban School Division Office announced that arrangements have been made to provide psychological and psychosocial support services to affected students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel as part of the response efforts.

Following the incident, the Tacloban City administration suspended classes at San Jose National High School, San Jose Central School, and Manlurip Elementary School. The state school where the attack occurred serves more than 1,500 students. Additional police personnel have been deployed to the area to maintain public order and ensure the safety of students, teachers, parents, and the surrounding community.